Senator Carlucci Urges Senate Leadership to Pass Protections for Clean Air & Water

ALBANY, NY– In between Earth Day and Arbor Day, Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) is urging Senate leadership to take up S5287 to enshrine New Yorker's rights to clean air and water.  As the State Assembly passed legislation to amend the NYS constitution, Carlucci called for Senate action to enshrine that "each person shall have a right to clean air and water and a healthful environment." 

"Recent water contamination and ongoing concerns about air quality have highlighted the importance of clean drinking water and air as well as the need for additional protections. Several other states including Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Montana have constitutional protections in place to ensure access to clean air and water. This proposed constitutional amendment would follow those models and ensure that clean air and water are treated as fundamental rights for New Yorkers," Carlucci stated.

New York recently enacted a State budget that invested $2.5 billion for clean water infrastructure projects, demonstrating that there is clearly bipartisan agreement on the priority.

"We came together to increase the proposal for clean water projects during the budget showing the political will exists to prioritize the environment. Passing this legislation would take that commitment to the next step and make sure that we continue to set policy that will protect the environment. I applaud the Assembly for taking this step and look forward to working with my colleagues to make these protections a reality," concluded Carlucci.

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