ALBANY — New York is setting aside $30 million to help counties across the state boost coronavirus contact tracing and combat the flu while scrapping plans for a $3 billion environmental bond.
The Restore Mother Nature Bond Act, which was set to be on the ballot in November, fell victim to COVID-19 fueled economic uncertainty.
“We’re going to postpone the environmental bond issue hopefully one year to next year,” Cuomo said during a call with reporters. “I don’t think it would be financially prudent to do it at this time.”
New York is currently facing a $13 billion budget gap due to lost tax revenue and battling the outbreak, according to the governor.
The bond is part of a $33 billion, 5-year plan to combat climate change, reduce flood risks and restore fish and wildlife habitats.
The last time the state took on such an expansive environmental capital initiative was in 1996 when New York enacted the $1.75 billion Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act.
“Removing the Bond Act from this year’s ballot is shortsighted and strips New Yorkers of the opportunity to voice their support for clean water, clean energy, and green jobs,” said Peter Iwanowicz, the executive director of Environmental Advocates NY. “As New York navigates the recovery to the pandemic, it must ensure New Yorkers have clean water drink and clean air to breathe. This is not a good start.”
Cuomo also announced that the state will provide $30 million to counties to boost contact tracing and prepare for flu vaccines at already overburdened labs.
“People will need flu tests and also want COVID tests,” the governor said. “We want the counties to be ready.”
The state conducted more than 73,000 coronavirus tests on Wednesday and reported 777 positives, a 1.06% infection rate. Another 13 New Yorkers died from the virus, Cuomo said. Statewide, 586 people are hospitalized with the virus, the lowest number since March 17.
“That is all great, great news,” he said.
Another 41 bars and restaurants were hit with violations on Wednesday for failing to follow state coronavirus safety guidelines. Cuomo has repeatedly admonished throngs of young people who have congregated outside establishments across the city to drink and socialize, often not wearing masks or practicing social distancing.
The state reported an uptick in infections among twenty-somethings.
People enjoy the pool at Mullaly Park on the second day of opening following the phase four guideline in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on July 25, 2020, in the Bronx borough of New York City. New York City pools open with limited capacity and safety guidelines install such as masks required while not in the pool.
People enter the pool at Mullaly Park on the second day of opening following the phase four guideline in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on July 25, 2020, in the Bronx borough of New York City. A wrist band and queue system are in place if the pool is at capacity.
People enjoy the pool at Mullaly Park on the second day of opening following the phase four guideline in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on July 25, 2020, in the Bronx borough of New York City.
People enter the Central Park Zoo which reopened to members with timed tickets today in Manhattan, New York on Monday, July 20, 2020.
A social distancing marker is seen at the Central Park Zoo which reopened to members with timed tickets today in Manhattan, New York on Monday, July 20, 2020.
People wearing protective masks walks past signage at the Central Park Zoo which reopened to members with timed tickets today in Manhattan, New York on Monday, July 20, 2020.
A U.S. Park Ranger takes a picture of tourists wearing face-masks on the reopened Liberty Island in front of the Statue of Liberty on July 20, 2020, in New York City. Just a few tourists visited the reopened monument as New York City moves into Phase 4 of the coronavirus lockdown.
Large crowds visit the beach at Coney Island in Brooklyn on July 19, 2020, in New York City. Much of the East Coast is experiencing usually warm weather with high’s in the 90’s and a heat index that makes it feel over 100 degrees.
People walk along the Coney Island boardwalk in Brooklyn on July 19, 2020, in New York City.
People visit the beach at Coney Island in Brooklyn on July 19, 2020, in New York City.
Large crowds visit the beach at Coney Island in Brooklyn on July 19, 2020, in New York City.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks during a COVID-19 briefing on July 6, 2020, in New York City. On the 128th day since the first confirmed case in New York and on the first day of phase 3 of the reopening, Gov. Cuomo asked New Yorkers to continue to be smart while citing the rise of infections in other states.
People try to figure out whose appointment is next while talking to an employee in front of HT&V; Nails in the Harlem section of New York on Monday, July 6, 2020. Nail salons and dog runs were back in business on Monday as New York City entered a new phase in the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
Tattoo artist Ray Jerez tattoos a client at Inborn Tattoo on 3rd Ave. in Brooklyn, New York on Monday, July 6, 2020.
A temperature gun and hand sanitizer are seen at the front desk of Inborn Tattoo on 3rd Ave. in Brooklyn, New York on Monday, July 6, 2020. Tattoo parlors were allowed to open today as part of New York’s Phase 3 reopening.
Candace Sanders, right, sits behind a plastic curtain while getting a pedicure at HT&V; Nails in the Harlem section of New York on Monday, July 6, 2020.
People play soccer in front of the skyline of Lower Manhattan as New York City officially begins
A client receives a manicure at Mochi nail salon as New York City officially begins
Artist Jeremy Miller gives Jay Rivera a tattoo at New York Hardcore Tattoos on the first day of re-opening as New York City officially begins
The exterior of New York Hardcore Tattoos on the first day of re-opening as New York City officially begins
Workers setup additional restaurant tables along the sidewalk for diners at Espiatorio Milos on Wednesday July 1, 2020, in New York. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says he is delaying the planned resumption of indoor dining at restaurants in the city out of fear it would ignite a a spike in coronavirus infections.
Under the watchful eye of lifeguards, some beachgoers ventured into the surf at Coney Island on the first day swimming allowed at New York City beaches on July 1, 2020.
A lifeguard watches as beachgoers enjoy the water at Coney Island Beach on the first day swimming is allowed at New York City beaches on July 1, 2020.
Families sit in the sand and play in the ocean at Coney Island Beach as swimming restrictions are eased across the city on July 1, 2020.
Families sit in the sand and play in the ocean at Coney Island Beach as swimming restrictions are eased across the city on July 1, 2020.
Families sit in the sand and play in the ocean at Coney Island Beach as swimming restrictions are eased across the city on July 1, 2020.
Customers at Green Kitchen in Manhattan are served at outside tables as the city moves into Phase 2 of re-opening following restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus pandemic on June 24, 2020. Phase 2 permits the reopening of offices, in-store retail, outdoor dining, barbers and beauty parlors and numerous other businesses and is the second of four-phased stages designated by the state.
A customer and stylist speak inside a barber shop as the city moves into Phase 2 of re-opening following restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus pandemic on June 24, 2020.
A person wearing a face mask and face shield walks out of a Zara store on Broadway in SoHo on June 24, 2020.
People eat and drink at tables placed outside of a Manhattan restaurant as the city enters Phase 2 of re-opening following restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus pandemic on June 24, 2020.
A customer who showed up after closing is turned down at the door by owner Abraham Gaona while he cuts a customer’s hair during the second day of the reopening of Abraham’s Barber Shop on June 23, 2020 in Washington Heights.
Brian Nieh wears a protective mask as he receives a haircut at Ace of Cuts barbershop, on Monday, June 22, 2020, in the Manhattan borough of New York.
Customers wait on the sidewalk before receiving haircuts while a DJ plays outside Ace of Cuts barbershop, on Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York.
Peter Shamuelov, center, wears a protective mask as he gives a haircut to a customer at Ace of Cuts barbershop, on Monday, June 22, 2020, in New York.
A worker sets an outdoor table for the Cipriani restaurant on June 22, 2020 in the SoHo neighborhood in New York City.
A man walks past a Cafe which sets up tables outside as New York City enters phase two of reopening June 22, 2020. New York City begins Phase Two reopening on June 22, 2020 as people can eat outdoors at restaurants and barbershops and salons can also open at 50 percent capacity.
A woman has her temperature taken before she enters the Apple store on Fifth Avenue as New York City enters phase two of reopening on June 22, 2020.
People sit on tables , respecting social distancing at Times Square as New York City enters phase two of reopening on June 22, 2020.
Customers are seen on line waiting to access the Apple Fifth Avenue Store as New York enters Phase 2 on June 22, 2020.
Customers are seen enjoying drinks outside Cipriani Downtown Restaurant on East Broadway seated on tables placed on sidewalk as New York enters Phase 2 on June 22, 2020 .
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Benoit Peyrouse wears PPE (personal protective equipment) as he washes a client hair at ‘Les Enfants Terribles’ hair salon and barber shop on June 22, 2020 in Brooklyn.
People commute on the subway in the Brooklyn borough on June 22, 2020 in New York City. New York City enters phase 2 reopening and the city estimates as many as 400,000 people will return to work next month as coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
Workers prepare for the reopening of the Macy’s Herald Square location on Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York.
Pedestrians pass the online order pickup area at the Macy’s Herald Square location on Friday, June 19, 2020, in New York.
“The phenomenon of increasing infection rate among young people … is not a New York phenomenon,” Cuomo said. “It’s an international phenomenon. The World Health Organization has warned about it.”
Twenty of the 41 establishments ticketed on Wednesday were located in Manhattan and face the possibility of losing their liquor license.
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