Environmental champion nominated to head DEC

ALBANY, NY — Gov. Eliot Spitzer has nominated Alexander B. “Pete” Grannis to serve as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Grannis, who represents the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Roosevelt Island, is an assemblyman who has championed environmental issues since his first election in 1974. He was a key proponent of the State Environmental Quality Review Act, the original bottle bill, and the clean-up and revitalization of the state’s brownfields, as well as measures related to acid rain, clean air and water, fluorocarbons and recycling. Grannis is a three-time winner of the Legislator of the Year award from the Environmental Planning Lobby and was accorded similar honors by the Audubon Society, the Environmental Action Coalition and Environmental Advocates. He also received the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Public Service Award in recognition of his efforts in promoting the humane treatment of animals.

NY ethics reform moves forward

ALBANY, NY — Last week, Governor Eliot Spitzer, Lieutenant Governor David Paterson and legislative leaders announced an agreement to implement a sweeping ethics and lobbying reform package. The agreement will set higher ethical standards for public officials, significantly strengthen penalties for violations, establish an independent public integrity panel with far-reaching powers and reorganize the Legislative Ethics Committee.

Among the measures included in the agreement are reforms that would prohibit all gifts from lobbyists and their clients of more than nominal value; prohibit all gifts of more than nominal value from non-lobbyists to public officials where such gifts might appear designed to influence the official; ban virtually all honoraria for statewide elected officials, agency heads and legislators; curb nepotism; and close the “revolving door” loophole by prohibiting former legislative employees from directly lobbying the legislature for two years.

Barbara Bartoletti, Legislative Director of the non-partisan New York State League of Women Voters, endorsed the agreement, saying “These are exactly the kinds of reforms that are needed.”

Ex-trooper exonerated

MONTICELLO, NY — Ross Felisi, a state trooper formerly of Bethel, was exonerated of charges of perjury and grand larceny in a non-jury trial before Sullivan County Judge Burton Ledina on Monday.

Felisi had been charged with fraudulently collecting workers’ compensation checks of $400 a week for a period of time after he was retired on disability following an on-the-job injury.

Falisi had owned a small company prior to his injury. The verdict rejected the district attorney’s contention that the collection of accounts receivables generated before the injury and monies realized from the sale of equipment constituted income that would disqualify Falisi from benefits. Other charges were dismissed by Ledina prior to the trial as lacking in merit.

NY Senate approves tax relief

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Senate has voted in favor of a property tax relief measure. The bill significantly expands the property tax rebate program to provide $2.6 billion in relief this year and $3.4 billion in 2008.

State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/I/C - Mount Hope) said, “This measure is much larger than last year’s rebate and puts relief directly into the hands of hardworking New Yorkers” The measure provides direct rebates to homeowners averaging $525 for non-seniors and $900 for seniors, provides voters with a mechanism to limit the growth in the local school and municipal tax rates, and establishes a Blue Ribbon Commission to examine and make recommendations on reforms for local governments and school systems in order to reduce the property tax burden.

The measure still must be passed by the Assembly, traditionally less inclined to property tax reform than the Senate.

More money needed to finish dam project

MONGAUP VALLEY, NY — Mirant Corp. testified before a bankruptcy court that it will need to borrow another $7 million to finish repairs on the Swinging Bridge Dam. The $9.5 million borrowed so far has not been sufficient to complete the plan that was approved by the federal authorities.

Water levels in the reservoir behind the dam were lowered in May of 2005 when a sinkhole was first found in the structure, and have remained 50 feet or so below their usual level ever since.

Despite the need for new financing, a company spokesman said that Mirant might start refilling the reservoir in a few weeks, in increments of 10 feet at a time.

Hinchey gains seat on Natural Resources Committee

WASHINGTON, DC — With Democrats now in control of the House, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) has gained new committee assignments that will expand his role in the 110th Congress. Among them is membership on the House Natural Resources Committee, which deals with a wide array of issues that include fisheries and wildlife, forest reserves and natural parks, Native American lands and mineral resources on public lands.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to fight even more effectively for strong environmental protection as a member of the House Natural Resources Committee. The Bush administration has been no friend of the environment, but as a member of the majority party in Congress, I will use my new position to push for a strong environmental policy that protects our resources and public lands,” Hinchey said.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee—considered one of the premier committees in Congress—Hinchey needed a waiver from the house leadership to also join the House Natural Resources Committee, which was granted based on his strong environmental record.