State Assembly Rises to Trump Challenge, Passes Nation’s Strongest Climate, Jobs, and Justice Bill

For Immediate Release: June 19, 2017

Dan Sherrell: 732-589-2412

Stanley Fritz: 347-208-4919

“New Yorkers can be proud of the work their Assemblymembers did yesterday in passing the nation’s most ambitious climate and equity legislation by an overwhelming 103 - 41 vote. Special thanks to Environmental Conservation Chair Steven Englebright, Speaker Carl Heastie, and members of the Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators.

The Climate and Community Protection Act is the blueprint New York State needs for a growing economy, and a cleaner, more equitable future, not a future of continued climate destruction and growing inequality. This work cannot stall in the Senate.

The members of the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC), who have sponsored the bill in the Senate, should move it to the floor and pass it this year. Last year’s bill garnered the bipartisan support of a majority of Senators, but did not move. This year, in the wake of Trump’s disastrous attacks on climate and justice, and with NY Renews, a coalition of over 110 labor, community, and environmental organizations statewide supporting it, this bill is even more deserving of passage. With enough votes from Republicans and Democrats alike to pass, the IDC has a rare opportunity to make history by putting the nation’s strongest climate bill into law. The only question that remains is whether the IDC has the will to challenge Senate Republicans who are bent on following Trump’s denialist playbook.

This bill needs a Senate vote this session. With an issue like climate change, New Yorkers cannot afford another year of Senate inaction - further delay would be unconscionable. The IDC should not leave Albany without delivering.”

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