New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) today praised Governor Cuomo for his recent intention to allocate $300 million for the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) in the upcoming 2016-17 State Budget.

Thiele, a longtime member of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, noted that many of New York’s environmental programs and initiatives, and their respective regulatory and managing agencies, suffered massive staffing and funding cuts before Governor Cuomo took office.

“Today’s announcement makes it clear that New York State values its environmental resources. I thank the Governor for listening to those of us who have been fighting for this increase for many years. This funding will set New York State back on the right path to protecting and restoring our valuable natural resources and economic prosperity.”