In early January, New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State Address promised money to address climate change, but according to NYRenews (a coalition to which RYSEC belongs):
In the State of the State message, Governor Hochul missed an opportunity to lay out a broad vision to address the climate crisis at a necessary scale, or how her administration intends to fully fund the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and New York’s just transition.
NY Renews is calling for $15 billion this year for climate, jobs, and justice. In contrast to the $1 billion multi-year Bond Act, which is not adequate to confront the myriad challenges we face. We cannot respond to the climate crisis with proclamations, platitudes, or pennies on the dollar. New York requires billions of dollars to best protect and invest in our communities and address the reality of climate change.
Although the State of the State includes victories won by our movements, the landmark CLCPA that made them possible needs to be funded and implemented now – not years from now. Without billions of dollars in this year’s budget, efforts like phasing out our reliance on fossil fuels, reducing power plant emissions, commitments to electric school buses, weatherizing and electrifying New York’s housing stock, expanding Clean Green Schools, and the electrification of Hunts Point Market will not be realized. The CLCPA cannot become an unfunded mandate.
You can act! You can take a moment to call the Governor and tell her we need the full $15 billion for climate justice funding in 2022.
Before you call, plan a couple of sentences to say, and be sure to mention that you live in New York state.
Each action counts!
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