A bill requiring state agencies to fund
infrastructure investments in a manner that is consistent with Smart Growth
criteria has gained final legislative approval in Albany, and will be sent to Governor David A. Paterson
for action. Passage of the "Smart Growth Infrastructure Policy Act" was hailed
by proponents as a major step away from uncoordinated, sprawl-inducing capital
spending decisions by state government.
"It's a significant advance for Smart Growth
principles, fiscal rectitude, and better land use practices in New York," said Peter B. Fleischer, Executive Director of ESF.
The amendment to the state's
Environmental Conservation was sponsored by Senator Suzi Oppenheimer of Westchester and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt of Buffalo. It establishes a Smart Growth Advisory Council in
state agencies, authorities, and public corporations that are charged with
evaluating proposed or existing projects according to established Smart Growth
criteria. Support for the measure was overwhelming in both houses of the
legislature.
