Albany — Top lawmakers say they’re nearing a deal with Gov. David Paterson to have all 178 state parks open for the Memorial Day weekend. The Paterson administration has listed 41 parks for closing and plans service reductions at two dozen others unless $5 million to $6 million is found by cutting elsewhere in the budget. Senate Democratic leader...
Mary Oot of Minoa (left) and Karen Karoglanian of Camillus enjoy conversation in the Old Erie Canal State Historic Park at Cedar Bay in DeWitt May 14. It is among the state parks being closed, and the Town of DeWitt has offered to mow the grass there to keep it accessible.
Albany — Top lawmakers say they’re nearing a deal with Gov. David Paterson to have all 178 state parks open for the Memorial Day weekend.
The Paterson administration has listed 41 parks for closing and plans service reductions at two dozen others unless $5 million to $6 million is found by cutting elsewhere in the budget.
Senate Democratic leader Sen. John Sampson said today there is a tentative deal and lawmakers may act later in the day. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says it’s not a deal yet, but close. He believes the parks will be open for the weekend.
Paterson spokesman Morgan Hook says there’s no agreement yet.
The deal would include the 14 of 35 state historic sites targeted for closing.