Brian Lair on WNYC.

Now the abundance debate comes to Albany.

What does that mean?

Is there too much well-intentioned environmental regulation that's making it too hard to build affordable housing?

Governor Hockel wants to make environmental review easier for smaller affordable projects.

Environmental groups, as you might imagine, have mixed feelings.

We'll discuss and take your calls now.

This is a case of, in a way, two progressive

impulses coming somewhat into conflict. So here's the governor from her state of the state

address proposing that this be part of the budget package that's due by next Wednesday,

because more affordable housing is a top priority. That's why in this budget I'm proposing a simple common sense update.

When communities say yes to housing, infrastructure, clean energy, we're going to let them build.

Now, the governor has the backing of Mayor Mamdani in this effort, another progressive, obviously,

who announced what he called a fast-track

program of his own yesterday, along with the Regional Plan Association Think Tank and a group

called Open New York that advocates for more housing construction of all types. And I'm joined now by

their executive director, Anne-Marie Gray.

Anne-Marie, welcome to WNYC.

Thank you for joining us.

Thank you.

Happy to be here.

Maybe you can start by telling us a little bit about Open New York and your own background,

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