State Budget
We’re in the crunch of state budget season. [Recently,] Gov. Kathy Hochul presented her proposed $252 billion budget with some noteworthy items relevant to the Adirondacks.
For one, the governor would like to give the Adirondack Park Agency an additional $10 million to add to its $29 million for its headquarters. Are signs pointing to the agency moving to its “preferred site” in the village of Saranac Lake?
The governor’s attention and funds proposed for these headquarters add to an over $500,000 state grant the village is promised for upgrading the hydroelectric facility at the 1-3 Main St. location. And the APA has twice denied the Explorer’s records requests for its feasibility study on the move.
The APA said it was still reviewing the executive’s budget last week, and has yet to comment.
But the governor’s budget is just the first step in this months-long process of how to finance the state for the year, starting April 1. Lawmakers are gearing up for a marathon of budget hearings starting this week.
In the meantime, here is some of our coverage of what Hochul is proposing to fund:
Upcoming hearings
The state Senate and Assembly announced a schedule of budget hearings that begin today and end Feb. 27.
I will be particularly paying attention to the environmental conservation and energy budget hearing scheduled to begin 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
These will be streamed online. You can learn more about the schedule and how to watch here: https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025/liz-krueger/legislature-announces-2025-joint-legislative-budget.
Missing hiker update
A reader asked me for any updates on the search for Leo DuFour, a Canadian hiker who went missing at the end of November on his hike up Allen Mountain.
I checked in with state police and the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Unfortunately there is not much new since our last story that Mike Lynch wrote, which was that the search had turned to a recovery mission.
The DEC said due to the heavy snow pack, there has been no new searching. Forest rangers are preparing for another search once the snow begins to melt.
Adirondack Park Agency public comment opportunities
Check for the full list of the APA public comment and hearing opportunities at: https://apa.ny.gov/Hearings/index.cfm.
- Applicants Michael and Sharon Serini are seeking to build a dock and boathouse on Cleverdale Road in the town of Queensbury on Lake George. Comments are due by Feb. 13. To view site plans and submit comments, go to https://apa.ny.gov/Hearings/ApaCommentPopup.cfm?ProjectNumber=2024-0281.
- National Grid is seeking to conduct several utility pole upgrades along Old Piseco Road in the town of Arietta. It is seeking to replace a 38.5-foot utility pole with a 43-foot utility pole; replace a 34-foot utility pole with a 38.5-foot utility pole; install a new 43-foot utility pole; and remove a 34-foot utility pole. Comments are due by Feb. 13. To view the site plans and submit comments, go to https://apa.ny.gov/Hearings/ApaCommentPopup.cfm?ProjectNumber=2025-0010.
DEC public comment opportunities
There are no new projects out for public comment. Check the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s weekly environmental notice bulletin for the latest projects.
P.S.
Readers have also been very interested in updates on a moose that fell into Lake Abanakee in Indian Lake. Forest rangers carved out a path in the lake ice for the moose to swim to shore.
Unfortunately we don’t have much of an update on the moose, either. The DEC said it was up and walking and once it went into the woods, staff no longer kept track of it. The DEC said it believes the animal survived, as moose are able to withstand frigid temperatures.
Top photo: Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers the 2025 State of the State Address in Albany. (Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)
This is an excerpt from Gwen’s weekly “Adirondack Report” newsletter. To get the full scoop delivered weekly to your inbox, click here to sign up.
Hochul’s $252B budget proposal
State Budget
We’re in the crunch of state budget season. [Recently,] Gov. Kathy Hochul presented her proposed $252 billion budget with some noteworthy items relevant to the Adirondacks.
For one, the governor would like to give the Adirondack Park Agency an additional $10 million to add to its $29 million for its headquarters. Are signs pointing to the agency moving to its “preferred site” in the village of Saranac Lake?
The governor’s attention and funds proposed for these headquarters add to an over $500,000 state grant the village is promised for upgrading the hydroelectric facility at the 1-3 Main St. location. And the APA has twice denied the Explorer’s records requests for its feasibility study on the move.
The APA said it was still reviewing the executive’s budget last week, and has yet to comment.
But the governor’s budget is just the first step in this months-long process of how to finance the state for the year, starting April 1. Lawmakers are gearing up for a marathon of budget hearings starting this week.
In the meantime, here is some of our coverage of what Hochul is proposing to fund:
Upcoming hearings
The state Senate and Assembly announced a schedule of budget hearings that begin today and end Feb. 27.
I will be particularly paying attention to the environmental conservation and energy budget hearing scheduled to begin 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
These will be streamed online. You can learn more about the schedule and how to watch here: https://www.nysenate.gov/
Missing hiker update
A reader asked me for any updates on the search for Leo DuFour, a Canadian hiker who went missing at the end of November on his hike up Allen Mountain.
I checked in with state police and the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Unfortunately there is not much new since our last story that Mike Lynch wrote, which was that the search had turned to a recovery mission.
The DEC said due to the heavy snow pack, there has been no new searching. Forest rangers are preparing for another search once the snow begins to melt.
Adirondack Park Agency public comment opportunities
Check for the full list of the APA public comment and hearing opportunities at: https://apa.ny.gov/Hearings/
DEC public comment opportunities
There are no new projects out for public comment. Check the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s weekly environmental notice bulletin for the latest projects.
P.S.
Readers have also been very interested in updates on a moose that fell into Lake Abanakee in Indian Lake. Forest rangers carved out a path in the lake ice for the moose to swim to shore.
Unfortunately we don’t have much of an update on the moose, either. The DEC said it was up and walking and once it went into the woods, staff no longer kept track of it. The DEC said it believes the animal survived, as moose are able to withstand frigid temperatures.
Top photo: Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers the 2025 State of the State Address in Albany. (Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)
This is an excerpt from Gwen’s weekly “Adirondack Report” newsletter. To get the full scoop delivered weekly to your inbox, click here to sign up.