Wednesday Headlines: Riding Off Into The Sunset

Trail enthusiasts have reason to celebrate in this year’s state budget.

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins told reporters yesterday that a provision in the governor’s executive budget proposal that would extend State Environmental Quality Review process reforms to bike and pedestrian trail development remained in the final agreement.

The overarching goal of the proposal was to cut red tape, specifically the need for lengthy environmental reviews of projects taking place on previously disturbed land, to spur housing and infrastructure development.

Stewart-Cousins explained that there were concerns that the bike and pedestrian trail elements could be twisted by unscrupulous developers to get blanket approval for projects that may warrant intensive environmental study, but contain a trail that fits the bill for a fast-tracked review process.

“So we were very concerned about making language that made it clear that just because you’re doing this doesn’t mean that any project that you connect to this will also be exempted,” she said.

There’s broad agreement on environmental regulations, insurance, immigration and climate law changes, even if there was anger along the way. So now state lawmakers and the governor just need to agree on the rest of the budget.

More news:

• Don’t jinx it, but the end of budget hell is in sight. (State of Politics)
• Assembly Member Jonathan Rivera (D-Buffalo) endorsed Adam Bojack to succeed him as he runs for state Senate. (BTPM)
• Camillus is moving forward with a 2-mile biking and walking trail. (Syracuse.com)
• Troy’s debate over Flock Safety’s license plate cameras has prompted the city council to sue the mayor. (The Times Union)
• Well, well, well. It turns out Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs knew of the city’s budget woes well before she took office and eventually secured a financial lifeline from the state. (The Times Union)
• President Trump-endorsed congressional candidate Anthony Constantino is alleging his opponent in the North Country’s 21st Congressional District, Assembly Member Robert Smullen, has violated campaign finance rules. (WAMC)
• Advocates want more options for State Route 17, especially after a study that found that a third lane is unnecessary. (WAMC)
• Town of Ulster residents are complaining about train noise. (Hudson Valley One)
• Rep. Mike Lawler (R-Rockland) is holding a town hall in Dutchess County on May 17. (Highlands Current)
• Hochul is bailing out New York City with $4 billion in aid and other legislative measures to alleviate its budget woes. (The New York Post)
• Questions of affordable travel may dampen the success of this year’s World Cup. (The City)
• Details on a proposed New York City pied-à-terre tax have yet to materialize. (City & State)
• The state Legislature is nearing a deal to sweeten retirement for state workers. (Newsday)
• LIRR unions and the MTA are still trying to hammer out a deal to prevent a strike on Saturday. If they aren’t successful, resulting service cuts would mean far more traffic and car use on Long Island. (Newsday, The Daily News)
• Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman unlocked matching funds for his gubernatorial campaign (with the help of the courts). He and state Republicans will be looking to hit Gov. Hochul and Democrats on the second home tax that’s made its way into budget talks. (Newsday, Politico New York)