Action Alert: Protect Our Natural Heritage For Future Generations

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Monday, May 20, 2013

Protect Our Natural Heritage For Future Generations

You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the directions at the bottom.

Issue

Ask Your Representatives To Enhance The Environmental Protection Fund

Background

The Environmental Protection Fund (or EPF, for short) is a centerpiece of New York State's environmental efforts. It helps preserve important wildlife habitat, protects drinking water, funds recycling programs and builds parks.

In recent years, the EPF's budget has been slashed from $250 million per year down to $134 million. But the EPF could be on its way to restored health if lawmakers are able to come to an agreement.

Both houses of the state Legislature are proposing to enhance the EPF by redirecting proceeds from New York's unclaimed bottle deposits into the fund. Right now, those unclaimed deposits go to the state's general fund, to no environmental benefit.

This is a great strategy to protect the environment without increasing taxes and lawmakers deserve a hearty "thank you" for standing up for the environment. The EPF is one of NYLCV's top priorities for the year.

But the deal isn't sealed just yet. Although the Assembly and Senate both want to gradually phase-in proceeds, the Assembly is proposing a percentage-basis while the Senate is proposing specific dollar amounts. There are other technicalities, too, that sound minor but could ultimately derail a deal unless they are worked out.

Please help improve this vital source of environmental funding and take care of New York's natural resources by contacting your legislators today! Thank you!!

Your message will be sent to each of the following targets:

Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis
Assemblymember Robert K. Sweeney
Senator Dean G. Skelos
Senator Mark J. Grisanti
Your Assembly Member
Your State Senator

A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending.

Please enhance the Environmental Protection Fund!

Dear Assemblymember Malliotakis,
Thank you very much for your work to protect New York's environment.

As a member of the New York League of Conservation Voters, I am very glad to hear that your house's budget proposal calls for maintaining the Environmental Protection Fund at $134 million this year and then phasing-in bottle bill revenues after that.

I now ask that you work with your colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both houses to work out the technical differences between the Senate and Assembly versions.

For example, the Assembly has proposed phasing in these new bottle-bill revenues into the EPF on a percentage basis. The Senate, on the other hand, has set specific dollar targets, rather than percentages.

The most important thing is to make the EPF as strong as it can be. A recent study concluded that every dollar invested in New York's environment returns seven dollars in economic activity. A strong EPF is therefore a win-win for the environment and new jobs.

Thank you very much for your consideration and I look forward to your vote on a stronger, better EPF!
Your name and address here

This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.

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