Earlier in the day Governor David A. Paterson's office announced that an agreement had been reached with the Legislature to ensure there are sufficient revenues to maintain operations at all New York State parks and historic sites, including all Department of Environmental Conservation campgrounds in the Adirondacks and Catskills. The agreement results in a $74 million in State General Fund savings and contains Governor Paterson's E-waste Program Bill.
"I am pleased that an agreement has been reached to reopen the 55 State parks and historic sites that were closed earlier this month. In addition, we are providing critical funding for clean air and water programs and implementing a new program to better manage the disposal of E-waste that I proposed and have fought for," Governor Paterson said. "We still have much work ahead of us, however, as we continue our effort to reduce spending and address the deficit through a responsible enacted State budget."
Assemblyman Steve Englebright said: "As Chair of the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development, I feel very strongly that these parks are vital to the livelihood of our State. They provide countless summer activities for New Yorkers, and they help promote tourism within the State, which is especially important given the current fiscal uncertainty. I applaud my colleagues for recognizing the devastation that would ensue if State parks were closed for the summer."