Legislative leaders open three‑way budget talks as Assembly proposes $100M increases to environmental and water infrastructure funds

State legislative leaders opened formal three‑way budget negotiations with the executive branch in Albany and highlighted environmental and water infrastructure funding as priorities, Assembly Member Deborah Glick said.

"There are two major areas in the budget that the Assembly has increased: the Environmental Protection Fund, where we've added $100,000,000, and the clean water infrastructure funding where we've added $100,000,000," Glick said during the meeting.

Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation Chair State Senator Pete Harcum said the session marked the ceremonial start of the negotiations and listed the agencies whose budgets will be discussed, including the Department of Environmental Conservation and NYSERDA.

Glick and other Assembly members noted the governor has proposed a separate "sustainable future" program totaling $1 billion; she said the Assembly has itemized suggested uses for that money but expects it to be part of the negotiations. The Assembly also said it would increase State Superfund (hazardous waste cleanup) funding by $25,000,000 above the executive proposal.

Lawmakers stressed there are many suballocations inside the Environmental Protection Fund and that details will be worked out in the three‑way talks. Harcum said staff from both houses and agencies will continue conversations between leadership calls.

The meeting did not include formal votes; lawmakers described priorities and areas of agreement as they begin negotiations.