State Legislature
Streetsblog Basics
So Far Suburban Opposition to Safety Cameras Isn’t Playing in NYC
Well, that was quick. Two nascent safety camera programs on Long Island have been shut down, despite demonstrable success in Nassau, after elected officials turned tail in response to complaints from law-breaking motorists. Meanwhile, red light cameras in New Jersey were turned off this week after that state's five-year demonstration failed to secure renewal in the legislature.
December 17, 2014
Driver With Revoked License Not Charged for Killing East Flatbush Senior
A driver with a revoked license killed a senior in Brooklyn Tuesday. As of Wednesday he was not charged by NYPD or District Attorney Ken Thompson for causing a death.
December 11, 2014
Livable Streets Progress in Albany Will Have to Go Through a GOP Senate
Andrew Cuomo may have won re-election, but New York was no exception to the national Republican wave in yesterday's elections. The GOP regained control of the State Senate, weakening its bond with the Independent Democratic Conference and keeping mainline Democrats in the minority. With last night's results, the landscape for transit and livable streets legislation in Albany has shifted.
November 5, 2014
Nassau Democrat Campaigns Against Speed Cams in Bid for Senate Seat
Adam Haber, a Democrat challenging incumbent Republican State Senator Jack Martins in Nassau County, is out with a new attack ad blasting his opponent for supporting speed cameras.
October 31, 2014
MTA: We’re Not Counting on Albany to Help Pay for Capital Program
The City Council transportation committee today passed bills to lower the city's speed limit and give hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers a transit-related tax benefit. But most of this afternoon's hearing was dedicated to the next MTA capital plan.
October 6, 2014
City Council Creates Fines for Hit-and-Run Drivers, Calls on Albany to Act
Minutes ago, the City Council unanimously passed a bill that would levy civil penalties against hit-and-run drivers. Fines start at $500, increasing to $2,000 for drivers who leave injured victims and $10,000 for drivers who cause serious injury or death. The bill now goes to Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is expected to sign it.
September 23, 2014
With Albany AWOL, Council Bill Proposes Fines Against Hit-and-Run Drivers
With perpetrators having little to fear from police and prosecutors, a new City Council bill aims to deter drivers from fleeing crash scenes by attaching civil penalties to hit-and-run.
September 3, 2014
De Blasio and DOT Ring In the New School Year With More Speed Cameras
Mayor de Blasio and Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg today officially announced the expansion of the city's speed camera program, which will eventually bring automated enforcement to 140 school zones across the boroughs. Today's event also underscored the fact that streets around schools won't be as safe as they could be, thanks to restrictions imposed by Albany.
September 2, 2014
20 Speed Cams Issued Almost as Many Tickets in June as NYPD Has All Year
Traffic enforcement cameras are far outpacing NYPD in ticketing drivers who speed, run red lights, and encroach on bus lanes -- pointing to the need for more automated enforcement to make streets safer.
July 16, 2014
Two Men Can Stop Cuomo From Building a Highway With Clean Water Funds
Two men -- Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and State Senator John DeFrancisco -- stand between Governor Andrew Cuomo and his plan to use the state's clean water fund to finance construction of the Tappan Zee Bridge.
July 11, 2014