Things to do, places to eat, shows to see, places to stay in Madison County, NY      

The big news out of Albany last night was that the Senate drafted and passed a bill requiring the governor to open ALL of the state parks and historic sites.  Of course the bill didn't address how to pay for it on an ongoing basis, but it did pass.  Thank you Senator Dave Valesky for your YES vote on this.  Now its on to the Assembly where a similar bill should pass.  Here are some links to stories about the latest developments.  After the jump you can read Senator Jose Serrano's press release about his bill. We are hearing this morning that a deal is imminent and an announcement is scheduled for late morning in Albany.
News Channel 9
Lower Hudson Politics Blog
Albany Times Union
Syracuse.com
Cnycentral.com

Here is the press release from Senator Serrano's office:
(Albany, NY) - Senator Jose M. Serrano (D-Manhattan/Bronx), chair of Cultural Affairs, Tourism and Recreation Committee sponsored legislation (S7776-A) that passed unanimously today in the Senate, allowing State Parks and Historic Sites to open for the summer season.
"We have made our voices heard, and there is now a light at the end of the tunnel" said Senator Serrano, who has spent the last several months making the case in Albany for funding State Parks.
This legislation requires that State Parks and Historic Sites maintain the same hours of operation as they did last year and allows the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to use funds already appropriated in the extender bills so that parks and historic sites are able to carry out preparations for the summer.
Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane), co-sponsor of this bill said, "We need to implement a plan quickly so our closed state parks and historic sites can re-open and be enjoyed by the public as much as possible this summer season. Finding a way to keep these popular locations open in the face of our fiscal crisis has been of great importance to me, and this bill puts us on the right path."
Serrano, who recently met with Governor Paterson to request that parks be included in future extender bills, and sent him a sign-on letter with broad bipartisan support to the same effect, said he applauded Paterson's efforts to provide for funding to keep parks open but doesn't agree it should come out of the Environmental Protection Fund.
"The EPF is vital to the long-term environmental health of the state by helping to sustain Zoos, Botanical Gardens, and Aquariums as well as municipal parks. Funding for Parks and the EPF must both be protected; otherwise New Yorkers will lose the quality recreational environment on which they have come to rely."
The Senator took a proactive approach to keep state parks open and protect our historic treasures that affects million of New Yorkers.
"I am very pleased to pass legislation that we were able to give New Yorkers their parks back. With a 5 to 1 return on investment to the state, parks help generate $1.9 billion annually in economic activity and this bill ensures that we won't miss the opportunity to bring in revenue this Memorial Day weekend."
Assemblyman Steve Englebright is sponsoring this legislation in the Assembly where it will also be voted on later this week.