Senator Breslin Celebrated In New Yorks Only Environmental Scorecard

           ( ALBANY , NY ) Senator Neil Breslin (D-46) was honored in the 2006 Voters Guide released by EPL /Environmental Advocates for forcing a vote in the Senate on one of the environmental communitys priority Super Bills. Not content with having his name on a Super Bill that was not allowed to the floor for a vote and could empower hundreds of  New York towns to protect their natural heritage, the Senator drafted his own version of the Community Preservation Act and forced a vote on the bill. With help from colleagues, he forced a floor vote on motions to petition the bill from the Environmental Conservation Committee in March. The motion was defeated along party lines. Breslin is also one of only 15 state senators who sponsored all four of the Super Bills in 2006. 

          EPL/Environmental Advocates is proud to honor Senator Breslin for helping to empower New Yorkcommunities to protect their historic and natural heritage, said Robert Moore, Executive Director, EPL/Environmental Advocates. Unfortunately for the people of New York, this motion was defeated along party lines in the highly partisan State Senate, with not one Majority Senator supporting the measure. 

          The environmental communitys four Super Bills serve as legislative priorities for each session and are chosen by the Green Panel, which includes representatives from New York States leading environmental groups. The Super Bills include the Wetland Protection Act, which would protect wetlands of an acre or more; the Bigger Better Bottle Bill, which would expand the definition of returnable containers to include drinks like iced tea and bottled water; the Community Preservation Act, the opt in bill which would give communities the power to set aside funds to protect natural heritage when and if they chose to do so; and the Environmental Protection Fund Enhancement Act, which would raise the Fund to $300 million over a two-year period beginning in 2008.

         The Voters Guide is the first and only record of New York State lawmakers  votes on legislation that will impact the environment. The Guide has been produced and distributed statewide for more than 20 years. To view the complete report, visit www.eplvotersguide.org 

---

        EPL /Environmental Advocates was founded in 1969 as one of the first organizations in the nation to advocate for the future of a states environment and the health of its citizens. Through lobbying, advocacy, coalition building, citizen education and policy development, EPL /Environmental Advocates has been New Yorks environmental conscience ensuring that environmental laws are enforced; that new measures are enacted when necessary; and that the public is informed of, and participates in, important environmental policy debates. For more information call 518.462.5526 or visit www.eplvotersguide.org.