Senate Republicans Vote to Shut New Yorkers Out of Their Parks on Memorial Day Weekend
May 28, 2010Party of "No" Votes To Protect Polluters, Not Jobs
(New York, NY) – With the exception of three excused absences, every Republican State Senator today voted to close state parks over Memorial Day weekend, putting the profits of polluters ahead of New Yorkers who deserve access to their parks.
“In these tough economic times, New Yorkers have a right to enjoy their local parks and beaches,” said Executive Director Josh Cherwin, New York Senate Dems. “For over forty years Republicans robbed New Yorkers of billions of dollars with tax hikes and special projects for their cronies. Now Republicans want to rob us of our vacations, too.”
Republicans also voted against saving nearly 20,000 jobs throughout the state -- and recklessly voted to block $1.9 billion of badly needed economic activity throughout the state. State parks maintain jobs and economies in every region of the state. If they close, jobs disappear and economies collapse.
“Simply put, keeping the parks open saves jobs and keeps our state running,” said Cherwin. “The Republicans have no right to play politics with the livelihood of New Yorkers.”
The Republicans did vote in favor of one constituency -- polluters. If Republicans had their way today, they would have blocked increased fees on New York’s producers of hazardous waste -- fees that are dedicated to cleaning up the environment.
The Republican vote is a slap in the face to the 56 million hardworking people who use New York’s state parks, the 20,000 New Yorkers that are employed by the state parks and the environment we all share.
“It is clear that Republicans would rather line the pockets of their special interest friends and deprive New Yorkers of the clean air, clean water and open spaces that define us as the Empire State,” said Cherwin.
Allegany Region – 1.9 million visitors, 860 jobs created and $62 million in related sales and output generated by Allegany, Lake Erie, Long Point and Midway state parks
Saratoga- Capital Region – 3.3 million visitors, 2,929 jobs created and $249 million in related sales and output generated at Saratoga Spa, Thacher, Grafton Lakes and Moreau Lake state parks to name just a few.
Central Region – 2.3 million visitors, 1,620 jobs created and $134 million in related sales and output generated by Glimmerglass, Green Lakes, Verona Beach, and Chenango Valley state parks to name just a few.
Finger Lakes Region – 3 million visitors, 1,776 jobs created and $141 million in related sales and output generated by Buttermilk Falls, Watkins Glen, Seneca Lake and Keuka Lake state parks to name just a few.
Genesee Region – 1.2 million visitors, 675 jobs created and $58 million in related sales and output generated by Letchworth, Darien Lakes, Silver Lake and Hamlin Beach state parks to name just a few.
Long Island Region – 19.9 million visitors, 3,992 jobs created and $410 million in related sales and output generated by Jones Beach, Robert Moses, Montauk Point and Caleb Smith state parks to name just a few.
New York City – 4.5 million visitors, 716 jobs created and $61 million in related sales and output generated by Roberto Clemente, Riverbank and Gantry Plaza state parks to name just a few.
Niagara Frontier Region - 10.3 million visitors, 4,701 jobs created and $569 million related sales and output generated by Niagara Falls, Evangola, Woodlawn Beach and Four Mile Creek state parks to name just a few.
Palisades Region – 4.4 million visitors, 1,052 jobs created and $94 million in related sales and output generated by Harriman, Minnewaska, Bear Mountain, and Rockland Lake state park.
Taconic Region – 3.1 million visitors, 957 jobs created and $102 million in related sales and output generated by Fahnestock, Hudson Highlands, Taconic and James Baird state parks to name just a few.
Thousand Islands Region – 1.7 million visitors, 882 jobs created and $63 million in related sales and output generated by Cumberland Bay, St. Lawrence, Wellesley Island and Westcott Beach state parks to name just a few.
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Eric Blankenbaker
646.592.0161