State Legislature
Streetsblog Basics
Looks Like Marty Golden Is Holding Up Speed Cameras, Again
Dana Rubinstein at Capital New York reports that State Senator Marty Golden has again emerged as an obstacle to NYC speed cameras.
April 30, 2014
Safety of NYC Streets Again Depends on State Senator Marty Golden
The Assembly yesterday passed legislation that would expand NYC's speed camera program by 120 cameras, bringing the total to 140. The bill, which also allows speed cameras in Nassau and Suffolk counties, was referred to the Senate rules committee this morning, bypassing the transportation committee. Rules is the last stop before a bill moves to the floor for a vote.
April 29, 2014
Klein Backs Off Bill to Restore Flashing Lights on Select Bus Service
Flashing lights on Select Bus Service vehicles are designed to help riders distinguish between pay-before-boarding SBS and pay-onboard local service. After years of operation without issue, Staten Island lawmakers exploited a minor state law to have the MTA turn off the lights 16 months ago. Bills in Albany to find a solution are stuck in committee, and now the bill's most powerful sponsor is backing away.
April 11, 2014
When Will Select Bus Service Get Its Flashing Lights Back?
When Select Bus Service launched in 2008, the program included blue flashing lights on the front of each bus to help riders distinguish the service from local buses. This is particularly important for Select Bus Service, since most SBS routes require riders to pay their fare at a machine before boarding. The flashing lights help riders know whether they're boarding an SBS bus, with its special payment system, or a local bus.
April 10, 2014
Albany Delays Speed Cam Expansion — Time to Draft a Better Bill
Governor Cuomo and the leaders of the Assembly and State Senate all purportedly favor expanding NYC's speed camera program, yet they failed to authorize the use of more cameras during budget negotiations. As it stands a speed cam bill won't be acted on until later in April at the earliest, as both houses are adjourned and Cuomo refused to expedite a vote.
April 1, 2014
What Transit Riders Could Get If Cuomo’s Transit Raid Doesn’t Go Through
How much transit service could the MTA add if Governor Cuomo's proposed $40 million transit raid doesn't make Albany's final budget? Here's a taste, courtesy of the Straphangers Campaign and the Riders Alliance.
March 24, 2014
Overcoming Skepticism, Lentol Joins Families to Back 20 MPH Speed Limit
Yesterday, members of Families for Safe Streets traveled to Albany to speak with legislators about legislation to lower NYC speed limits and increase automated enforcement of dangerous driving. They came away with an early victory: Assembly Member Joe Lentol of Brooklyn, a street safety ally who had been skeptical of a bill to lower the city's default speed limit to 20 mph, surprised the families by showing up at their press conference and giving a moving speech about why he now supports the measure.
March 19, 2014
Tell Albany Where You’d Like to See Traffic Enforcement Cameras
With Mayor de Blasio looking to gain home rule over NYC's red light and speed cameras as part of the Vision Zero Action Plan, Transportation Alternatives wants to take your requests for camera locations to Albany.
March 18, 2014
Assembly to Reject Cuomo’s $40M Transit Raid; No Word From State Senate
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver will look to block Governor Cuomo's $40 million transit raid, according to the Daily News.
March 10, 2014
32 Assembly Members Want to Reverse Cuomo’s Transit Raid. Where’s Shelly?
It's crunch time for the state budget, and so far Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has not said a word about undoing the $40 million MTA raid in Governor Andrew Cuomo's executive budget, even though 32 Assembly members have called on Cuomo to restore the funds [PDF].
March 7, 2014