State Legislature
Streetsblog Basics
Driver “Flying” Through Harlem School Zone Kills Child — Tabs Blame Victim
A driver operating a TLC-licensed vehicle killed a 12-year-old boy outside a school in Harlem Wednesday.
May 7, 2015
Subway Ridership Hits 65-Year High. Does Cuomo Care?
Subway ridership hit a 65-year high in 2014, serving 1.75 billion trips last year, the most since the New York City Transit Authority was formed in 1953. That's an increase of 2.6 percent over 2013 and 12 percent since 2007, according to the MTA. The subway now serves 5.6 million passenger trips on an average weekday, and 6 million on an average two-day weekend.
April 20, 2015
Jim Brennan’s Transpo $ Plan: Gas Tax, Income Tax, and Forced City Funding
A bill from Assembly Member Jim Brennan, who chairs the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, would create a transportation finance authority to collect new taxes and help fund the MTA as well as roads, bridges, and transit statewide. It's the first major transportation funding proposal to come out of Albany this year.
April 10, 2015
Albany Bill Would Bar Police From Cuffing Bus Drivers Who Hit People
State lawmakers have introduced legislation that would prohibit police from detaining, but not charging, bus drivers who hit pedestrians and cyclists.
March 26, 2015
$100 Million in BRT Funding at Stake in Albany Budget Negotiations
There's $100 million for Bus Rapid Transit in the Assembly's budget proposal, and advocates are working to ensure the funds emerge intact from closed-door negotiations with Governor Cuomo and the State Senate.
March 25, 2015
Gianaris: Time for Albany to Stiffen Penalties for Unlicensed Drivers Who Kill
This morning State Senator Michael Gianaris again called on state lawmakers to pass legislation that would stiffen penalties for motorists who hurt and kill people while driving without a valid license.
February 24, 2015
David Gantt Remains Transportation Chair, But It’s Carl Heastie’s Assembly
Surprising no one, the leadership of Carl Heastie's Assembly looks just about identical to Sheldon Silver's. After publicly voting in Heastie to succeed Silver as speaker on Tuesday, Assembly Dems announced top posts and committee chair positions yesterday. There were few changes to speak of, and as expected Rochester rep David Gantt will remain chair of the Assembly transportation committee.
February 5, 2015
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie: Good on Street Safety, Iffy on Transit
For the first time in two decades, the New York State Assembly has a new speaker. Assembly Democrats elected Carl Heastie of the Bronx to succeed longtime speaker Sheldon Silver, a week after Silver was indicted on federal corruption charges.
February 3, 2015
Tomorrow: Advocates Ask Albany to Guarantee Bike/Ped Funds
Nearly four dozen advocates from across the state will travel to Albany tomorrow to make the case for better policies to support walking and biking as budget hearings get underway in the state legislature. The push comes days after the Cuomo administration told legislators that while it is committed to active transportation, dedicated funding that would make up for shrinking federal funds isn't necessary.
February 2, 2015
Life-Saving Truck Design Fix Sidelined By Federal Inaction
This is the second post in a series about safety features for large vehicles. Part one examined the case for truck side guards and New York City's attempt to require them for its fleet.
December 22, 2014