TELL ALBANY: Unlock New York's Future

New York State Legislature

Across New York, families are being pushed to the brink by soaring rents, rising utility bills, scarce child-care, and accelerating climate risks. Meanwhile, an outdated, 50-year-old law is being used to delay or block the very projects our communities need to move forward.

Modernizing the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) is a necessary step to deliver real relief — without weakening New York’s strong environmental protections. Right now, unnecessary red tape is driving up costs, stalling climate action, and allowing a small number of opponents to hold up projects that communities overwhelmingly support.

By modernizing SEQRA in this year’s budget, the Legislature can:

  • Build more affordable homes: Cut delays for housing on already-developed land so families can afford to stay in their communities.
  • Expand access to child-care: Speed up approval for new and renovated child-care centers so every family can find safe, nearby care.
  • Accelerate climate solutions: Focus environmental review where it matters most — protecting air, water, and open space while fast-tracking clean energy, transit, and green infrastructure.
  • Stop endless delays of community-supported projects: End abuse of the process that lets a few opponents tie up schools, housing, and infrastructure for years.
New York does not have to choose between protecting the environment and addressing the affordability and climate crises. We can — and must — do both.

The Legislature must act now to modernize SEQRA and unlock a healthier, more affordable future for New Yorkers. Sign on and demand action.

Sponsored by
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Open New York
New York, NY

To: New York State Legislature
From: [Your Name]

Dear Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie,

Across New York, families are facing rising housing and utility costs, limited access to child-care, and mounting climate-related challenges that threaten our communities. Modernizing the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) can help address these urgent challenges. It would reduce unnecessary delays that drive up rents, the cost of child-care, and the price of essential community projects without undermining New York’s strong environmental protections.

By modernizing SEQRA in this year’s budget, the Legislature can:

- Support attainable housing – Streamlined review for new homes on previously disturbed land can help communities lower costs and increase opportunities in the right locations.
- Increase child-care capacity – Clearer, faster review for new and renovated child-care centers will help meet the goal of ensuring that every family has a safe, nearby place for their children.
- Advance environmental goals – Focused review on projects with the greatest potential harm preserves strong protections for air, water, and open space, while allowing beneficial green-infrastructure and clean-energy projects to proceed on a reasonable timeline.
- Ensure that community priorities are not delayed by a small number of opponents – Modernization will prevent procedural slow-downs that can hold up broadly supported projects for years.

We respectfully urge the Legislature to enact SEQRA modernization in the FY 2026-27 budget—allowing projects that reflect community priorities to move forward without prolonged delays, while advancing housing, child-care, and environmental needs for New York families.

Thank you for your consideration and for your commitment to the wellbeing of New York communities.

Sincerely,