Observers listening to the discussion at a recent Albany meeting of the Governor's Smart Growth Cabinet emerged with some concern that the economic development folks were starting to gain the upper hand relative to the Smart Growthers within the group. Calls for "shovel ready" projects and a frequently expressed need for job creation seemed more emphatic and determinative than did the urgings of the environmental folks to ensure the state picks the right economic stimulus plans.
Empire State Future's Executive Director Peter Fleischer addressed the cabinet during the public comment section and called on the assembled state officials to take an active role in prioritizing infrastructure stimulus funds toward Smart Growth projects, and to seek synergy among the efforts of the various state agencies. He said the state should reject projects that support or induce sprawl.
Mr. Fleischer also presented Empire State Future's legislative approach for 2009, noting the primary importance of passing the Smart Growth Priority Infrastructure legislation and his organization's desire to trigger a public discussion about a Climate Change and Anti-Sprawl initiative.
State officials attending the session at the state Capitol were: Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Peter Grannis; Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez; Deputy Secretary for the Environment Judith Enck; Assistant Secretary for Economic Development Michael Skrebutenas; Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Karen Rae; Smart Growth lead staffer Paul Beyer; and representatives from the Environmental Facilities Corporation, Empire State Development Corporation, Agriculture and Markets, Department of State, DEC, DOT, Division of Housing and Community Renewal, Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, and the Local Government Commission. ESDC President Marisa Lago joined by phone toward the end of the meeting.
