UPPER DELAWARE RIVER VALLEY — Hundreds of races will play out statewide on Election Day, November 8. While those races gather the most attention, a number of propositions will also be on the ballot, giving voters the chance to set policy on matters of the environment, cannabis and on the funding of emergency services. 

Environmental bond act

New York voters statewide will get to decide on the Environmental Bond Act, a proposal that raises money for capital projects to help the environment. 

The act would authorize state bonds in the amount of $4.2 billion, according to information from the New York State Board of Elections. 

That $4.2 billion would fund projects that enhance infrastructure across New York, and help prepare the state for the impact of climate change. At least $1.1 billion would fund restoration and flood-risk reduction projects; up to $650 million would fund open-space land conservation and recreation projects; up to $1.5 billion would fund climate change mitigation projects; and at least $650 million would fund projects related to water quality improvement and resilient infrastructure. 

Environmental activists have applauded the act as a major investment in conservation. “With the Environmental Bond Act on the ballot this November, New York voters have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve quality of life, modernize infrastructure and safeguard clean drinking water,” said the New York League of Conservation Voters.

The New York State Conservative party released a statement objecting to the act; while the projects “appear to warrant consideration,” they “should be paid with existing authorized debt, new federal sources and pay as you go where possible.”

To address and combat the impact of climate change and damage to the environment, the “Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022” authorizes the sale of state bonds up to four billion two hundred million dollars to fund environmental protection, natural restoration, resiliency, and clean energy projects. Shall the Environmental bond Act of 2022 be approved?”

Cannabis for Tusten

Voters in the town of Tusten will get to decide whether the town should allow commercial cannabis businesses. 

The Tusten Town Board voted in 2021 to ban the sale of cannabis and the on-site consumption of cannabis within the town. The board voted 5-0 against on-site consumption, and 3-2 against sale; in casting the deciding vote against sale, town supervisor Ben Johnson said he did so to give the voters a chance to decide. “We’ve got enough people on either side; let’s find out how important it is to them; let them go to the voting box and put it forth.”

The wording of the referendum asks whether each ban—against on-site consumption, and against sale—should be approved. Marking “yes” shows that a voter approves of the ban, and wants cannabis sales prohibited, while marking “no” shows that a voter disapproves of the ban, and wants cannabis sales permitted. 

Shall commercial on-site cannabis consumption facilities be prohibited from locating in the Town of Tusten and Local Law No. 1 of the year 2022, entitled “A local law adopted pursuant to Cannabis Law Section 131 opting out of licensing and establishing on-side cannabis consumption establishments within the town of Tusten, Sullivan County, New York, be approved and enacted into law? [A ‘yes’ vote would ban on-site cannabis consumption establishments in Tusten; a ‘no’ vote would allow it.]

Shall commercial retail cannabis dispensaries be prohibited from locating in the Town of Tusten and Local Law No. 2 of the year 2022 entitled “A local law adopted pursuant to Cannabis Law Section 131 option out of licensing and establishing retail cannabis dispensaries within the Town of Tusten, Sullivan County, New York” be approved and enacted into law? [A ‘yes’ vote would ban cannabis dispensaries in Tusten; a ‘no’ vote would allow it.]

Ambulance and fire

Two municipalities in Pike County have propositions on the ballot asking voters to approve a mill rate increase to support emergency services. The mill rate is the amount of tax payable per dollar of the assessed value of a property.

Voters in the Township of Blooming Grove will be asked if they support a 1.5 mills increase in the ambulance tax. The Blooming Grove Volunteer Ambulance Corps has five full-time and 17 per-diem paramedics, providing 24/7 advanced life support, as well as two full-time and 14 per-diem emergency medical technicians. 

Voters in Matamoras Borough will be asked if they favor a 1 mill increase in the fire protection tax, to support the Matamoras Fire Department. The Matamoras Fire Department is an all-volunteer department with 45 firefighters, according to usfiredept.com.

Blooming Grove Township, Pike County

Do you favor the levy of an Ambulance Tax increase of 1.5 mills to support Ambulance Services in Blooming Grove Township?

Matamoras Borough, Pike County

 Do you favor a tax increase of an additional 1 mill to support the Matamoras Fire Department, increasing the total tax from 3 mills to 4 mills as a levy of a Fire Protection Tax in Matamoras borough?