EVERYONE WINS ON BEES: Gov. Kathy Hochul’s commitment to brokering compromise was on display with modifications publicly embraced by both environmental groups and industry opponents of the “Birds and Bees Act.” The changes include a two-year delay of the ban on neonicotinoid seed treatments and potential exemptions for farmers. The bill targets neonicotinoids in the soybean and corn farming industries. Known more broadly as “neonics,” they are a nicotine-based substance often laced in seeds to avoid more dangerous forms of insect control like crop dusting. Advocates allege that neonics are the reason for a falling bee population, while farmers say that they can’t work without them unless they are given a viable substitute. Hochul has been sensitive to the concerns of farmers, and the agreement reached will have the Department of Environmental Conservation implement restrictions in 2029, two years later than in the bill as it was passed last year. Farmers will also have an option to apply for waivers, which will be effective for two years before they have to reapply, according to the industry. “This marks a significant improvement over the current status quo, in which the agency exercises no regulatory authority over neonic seed coatings,” the Natural Resources Defense Council wrote in its press release celebrating the win. Meanwhile, an agreement wasn’t reached on a bill aimed at stopping state procurements from supporting any tropical deforestation, which was vetoed after legislative sponsors refused to agree to major changes backed by Hochul. POLITICO’s Allison Prang reports that Sen. Liz Krueger plans to reintroduce the measure this year. “This is not some esoteric issue for tree-huggers — the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis threaten the very survival of human civilization," Krueger said. "The days when New York’s leaders can pretend that what goes on in another part of the world has no impact on us are long past." — Marie J. French HAPPY TUESDAY MORNING: And happy New Year! We hope your holiday break was filled with family, friends and fun. Let us know if you have tips, story ideas or life advice. We're always here at mfrench@politico.com and rrivard@politico.com. And if you like this letter, please tell a friend and/or loved one to sign up. Want to receive this newsletter every weekday? Subscribe to POLITICO Pro. You’ll also receive daily policy news and other intelligence you need to act on the day’s biggest stories. BUS MANDATE CONCERNS: One major priority for education officials this session will be flexibility on the zero-emission school bus mandate, POLITICO’s Katelyn Cordero reports. Brian Fessler, director of governmental relations at New York State School Boards Association, told her many of his members have concerns with the state’s goals to transition to zero-emission school buses saying they would like more flexibility regarding the state’s mandate. All new buses must be zero-emission by 2027, and the state’s entire school bus fleet should make the transition by 2035. “I think for more school board members, the challenge is the transition itself,” Fessler said. “The cost associated with that transition, the logistics and really trying to make sure our members have the answers to dozens of major questions that have popped up.” CLEAN TRUCK DELAY — POLITICO’s Blanca Begert: California vehicle regulators are delaying enforcement of their first-in-the-nation purchasing mandate for zero-emission trucks because they don't yet have the Biden administration's permission to implement it. The California Air Resources Board said Thursday that it will not enforce its Advanced Clean Fleets regulation, parts of which take effect Monday, until EPA either issues a waiver letting it implement its stricter-than-federal rules under the Clean Air Act or says that a waiver isn't necessary. — New York and New Jersey are both following California’s lead on the planned restrictions on fossil powered trucks. Both states adopted California’s rules in 2021. INTERNET SUBSIDY AT RISK — POLITICO’s John Hendel: Washington is battling over whether to keep the [broadband subsidy] program going — potentially cutting off more than 22 million households from a subsidy they’ve come to rely on. It launched with bipartisan support in 2020, but is now trapped in a partisan war between Democrats who want to renew it, and Republicans worried it will let President Joe Biden take too much of a victory lap during a campaign year. Known officially as the Affordable Connectivity Program, the federal subsidy… is predicted to run out of money by April. And because of its unique launch — initially, as emergency pandemic relief signed by former President Donald Trump and later codified in Biden’s infrastructure law — it’s a large federal benefit with no long-term funding mechanism and no clear way to pay for it going forward. — Hochul’s administration has aggressively promoted this program and urged New York residents to sign up for it to reduce their costs. More than 1.6 million New York households are enrolled in the program, receiving about $50 million in subsidies each month. Here's what we're watching: WEDNESDAY — New York lawmakers return to Albany to kick off the 2024 legislative session. — A virtual public hearing is held by the Department of Public Service on the Canisteo Wind project, 5:30 p.m.
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