Governor Hochul Vetoes Bill Seen by Many as Aimed at Chassidic Community in Bloomimg Grove

Last June, news broke of legislative rumblings in Albany, where two “land preservation” bills were being debated. 

Land Preservation is a program in which localities are allocated state funds with which they purchase land deemed scenic or otherwise worth preserving as undeveloped land. 

But this program has also been misused by legislatures to stymie development of chassidic communities—in this case in two Orange County towns. The NYS assembly had struck down the law for Chester, while passing such a measure for Blooming Grove, where there is a growing chassidic presence, with imminent plans for expansion and development. 

Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed this bill, and was lauded by many in the community for standing up against discrimination. 

Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein wrote: “Yesterday, Gov. Kathy Hochul showed true leadership by vetoing a bill that was disguised as land preservation but ultimately was designed to block Chasidic Jews from moving in to Blooming Grove. Thank you Governor for doing the right thing. There is no room for discrimination in New York State.