Some lawmakers expressed concerns about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposals on water infrastructure and permitting changes aimed at spurring more affordable housing during a marathon budget hearing Wednesday.
The Democratic governor proposed relaxing the state’s signature environmental permitting law’s requirements, which in some cases have been used by NIMBYs to block housing developments.
While lawmakers expressed support for more affordable housing, they questioned whether the changes to the permitting law, known as the State Environmental Quality Review Act, or SEQR, would actually benefit their communities.
“When you look at the actual language … there’s no mention of the word ‘affordable’ anywhere,” Republican state Assemblymember Keith Brown said during the hearing. “There’s no mention of anything related to criteria as it relates to affordable housing.”
