Issue Position: Environment

Issue Position

Neil Breslin on the Environment

Keeping our State Parks Open

Neil was at the forefront working with the Senate, the Assembly and the Governor's office to forge a three-way agreement on keeping Albany County's Thatcher Park and other New York State parks and historic preservation site open this summer and throughout the 2010-11 fiscal year.

The recreational use of parks across the state generates $1.9 billion in revenue. State Parks in the Capital/Saratoga Region see about 3.3 million visitors. These parks also create 2,929 jobs and $249 million in revenue and output is generated at Thatcher Park, Grafton Lakes, Saratoga Spa, and Moreau Lake state parks.

Understanding how important our parks are to our quality of life, Neil worked tirelessly to restore these funds so that we could all enjoy our summer just a little bit more with trails for summer hiking, mountain biking, and lakes for us all to cool off in. Parks such as Thacher provide a much needed outlet for the people of the Capital District, especially in these harsh economic times as people are more apt to "stay-cation" rather then vacation.

An Even Greener New York

New York State is already a leader in being green but Neil knows there's always more we can do.

Supporting a package of bills--Earth Day 2010--Neil and his Senate colleagues have made environmental protection and enhancing New York's position as a "green" leader in our 21st Century economy a top priority. The Earth Day 2010 package implements protections to reduce waste and pollution in order to make the Capital District and the rest of New York a healthier and more vibrant state for generations to come.

Neil recognizes the economic opportunities for New York through the enactment of this fiscally and environmentally responsible package of bills which include:

* A Rechargeable Battery Recycling Program which is a "take back" program that enables people who need to dispose of the rechargeable batteries to do so for free by returning them to their retailer.
* Fuel Efficiency Guide in which dealerships will be required to post a Gallons Per Mile Fuel Savings Guide estimate in order to provide consumers with a more realistic figure when purchasing a new car. By purchasing more efficient cars consumers will save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy security and oil dependence and increase energy sustainability.
* E-Waste Recycling Program creates a statewide electronic equipment reuse and recycling program that encourages the cost the managing obsolete technology into the purchase price.
* Limiting Pesticide Use on Playing Fields in Schools and Daycare limits pesticide use on playgrounds, turf and athletic or playing fields. This legislation answers the vulnerable position our youth are put in when they are playing outdoors at school or daycare and could very well be exposed to toxic chemicals that can cause nervous, reproductive and immune system damage.
* Eliminating BPA from Child Care Products to curtail the effects of Bisphenol A, which is found in such everyday child products as pacifiers and bottles. BPA mimics estrogen which disrupts a child's endocrine system and is linked to heart disease, immune system disruption, brain deterioration, type-2 diabetes, cancer and obesity.
* Purchasing Only Recycled Paper for State Use will enable the over 80 New York State entities that use stationery and paper products to use recycled paper in order to help decrease the state's overall carbon footprint.
* Mapping Cancer Rates legislation would require the New York State Department of Health, in concert with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, to create a cancer mapping program that tracks incidences of cancer with environmental exposure to man made toxins. By studying these correlations possible causes of cancer may be revealed and then prevented.

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