New York Democrats split sharply over climate policy changes buried inside the state budget, according to Spectrum News 1. Several lawmakers said they were forced to choose between supporting Tier 6 pension reforms and opposing rollbacks to the state’s aggressive climate law.
Assemblymember Anna Kelles of Ithaca voted against the massive budget bill, arguing lawmakers shouldn’t have to tie pension relief to environmental policy changes. The legislation delays key emissions regulations and adjusts how the state measures climate goals tied to its 2019 climate law.
Other Democrats reluctantly backed the package despite environmental concerns, saying public workers in their districts depended on pension reforms. Republicans criticized the climate changes as insufficient while environmental groups warned the revisions weaken New York’s clean energy commitments.
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