38 New York Lawmakers Call on Gov. Hochul to Position New York as Global Climate Leader by Signing the TREES Act

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38 New York Lawmakers Call on Gov. Hochul to Position New York as Global Climate Leader by Signing the TREES Act

October 2, 2024

NEW YORK - This week, 38 New York legislators are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to protect the world's rainforests and sign the Tropical Rainforest Economic & Environmental Sustainability (TREES) Act.

In a letterdelivered to the Governor's office yesterday, the lawmakers write:

The TREES Act will ensure that New Yorkers' taxpayer dollars are not paying for the destruction of the Earth's vital tropical rainforests. Signing this bill will leverage our state procurement spending to fight climate change, protect biodiversity, and stand up for the rights of Indigenous people and workers, as well as creating economic opportunities for New York farmers and small businesses, so we can keep more of those procurement dollars right here in New York.

The TREES Act, which passed both legislative chambers earlier this year, awaits Governor Hochul's signature. The legislation would make sure that companies selling to New York government agencies do not buy products from companies that cut down tropical rainforests. It will also ensure that businesses providing goods or services to New York State do not contribute to the associated abuses of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in tropical forested regions.

"This is a simple measure that ensures New York's procurement dollars aren't contributing to the destruction of our planet's most vital rainforests," said Vanessa Fajans-Turner, Executive Director, Environmental Advocates NY. "By signing the TREES Act, Governor Hochul can position New York as a global climate leader-all while creating new economic opportunities for New Yorkers."

Senators who signed the letter include:
Jabari Brisport
Iwen Chu
Cordell Cleare
Leroy Comrie
Jeremy Cooney
Nathalia Fernandez
Kristen Gonzalez
Andrew Gounardes
Pete Harckham
Michele Hinchey
Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Robert Jackson
Brian Kavanagh
Liz Krueger
Rachel May
Zellnor Myrie
Jessica Ramos
Gustavo Rivera
Sean Ryan
Julia Salazar
James Sanders
Luis Sepulveda
José M. Serrano

Assembly members who signed the letter:
Juan Ardila
Keith Brown
Chris Burdick
Harvey Epstein
Deborah J. Glick
Jessica González-Rojas
Dr. Anna R. Kelles
Dana Levenberg
Zohran Mamdani
MaryJane Shimsky
Sarahana Shrestha
Jo Anne Simon
Al Stirpe Jr.
Fred W. Thiele, Jr
Leah Webb

Read the full letter from lawmakers to Governor Hochul HERE.

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