Vote yes on the state environmental bond act

Over the last few months, voters on Long Island and beyond have been bombarded with grim political messaging. From one side, a bleak picture of a crime-ridden New York. From the other, dire warnings about abortion and the future of democracy. It can feel that either way, voters will be casting their ballots not for but against something.

Don’t let that negativity extend to the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs environmental bond act on your ballot.

This proposal is a once-in-a-generation chance to improve drinking water, safeguard coastlines, preserve natural spaces, and so much more. Voting yes paves the way for New York to borrow $4.2 billion through the sale of bonds, money that will be used for specific capital projects in a few environmental areas, including flood risk reduction, climate change mitigation, and resilient infrastructure. On Long Island, that could mean more sewers, state-of-the-art treatment systems to filter contaminants from water, and stronger coastal wetlands that act as natural buffers against storms.

These types of far-thinking investments should not fall victim to political divides. Almost all of these initiatives are out of reach for towns, villages and counties in regular annual budgeting.

Long Island has benefited from similar environmental bond acts in the past. The last — proudly spearheaded in part by Republican Gov. George Pataki — was approved by voters in 1996, with a long tail of effects. According to a 2000/01 annual report from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, hundreds of projects had already been completed, were under construction, or were set to begin construction that year, with more on the way. Money had been disbursed to Long Island initiatives such as creek bulkheading in Glen Cove, stormwater control and abatement in Head of the Harbor, Thatch Pond drainage improvements in Smithtown, and others.

We are at a moment of even greater environmental need now, with powerful storms, shocking rainwater and floods, and an uncertain climate future that must be faced in the present. The act, if it gets New York’s nod, represents a voter-approved, responsible way to borrow money through “general obligation” debt. That's the most cost-effective way for the state to borrow, with lower interest costs than other types of borrowing, according to the state comptroller’s office.

And the investment this money represents will be a big win for the state, supporting jobs and protecting homes and crucial infrastructure.

The environmental bond act is getting overshadowed by hot political races, but don’t miss this chance to vote for a cleaner, safer New York. In Nassau County, the proposal is at the bottom of the front of your ballot; in Suffolk, it’s on the back. Vote yes.