Reporter Chris Morris reports that newly elected Assembly Member Dan Stec is optimistic about the direction of the state budget. 

Reporter Phil Brown reports that the state DEC is proposing to designate the Essex Chain of Lakes as Wild Forest, not Wilderness as environmental advocacy groups are requesting. A Wild Forest designation would allow motorized vehicle use on the land. Details of other proposals for other tracts are included in the report. 

The Associated Press reports that environmental advocacy groups are generally pleased with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget, especially because it contains an increase in the Environmental Protection Fund. 

The Post-Star editorial board writes that the governor needs to stop spending Environmental Protection Fund money on land purchases and use it to fight invasive species in state waterways.