State Legislature
Streetsblog Basics
Can Andrew Cuomo Stop Albany From Raiding Transit Again?
Yesterday, City Council transportation committee chair Jimmy Vacca and leading transportation advocates sent a letter to New York state's current leadership urging them not to raid the MTA's dedicated funds to close an impending $315 million budget deficit.
November 9, 2010
Vacca and Advocates to Albany: No More Transit Raids
Transit advocates and City Council transportation committee chair Jimmy Vacca are sounding the alarm about potential transit funding raids before the year is out. A $315 million hole has opened up in the state budget, and unless elected officials change the way they balance the state's books, straphangers could end up paying for Albany's fiscal mess -- again.
November 8, 2010
Suburban State Senate Candidates Campaign Against MTA Payroll Tax
With the MTA at least $9 billion short on funding for its five-year capital plan, New Yorkers who ride buses and subways should be counting on legislators to secure a new revenue stream for transit. But after tomorrow's elections, the first transit fight in Albany may not be over new revenue at all. Repealing the payroll mobility tax, passed along strict party lines as part of the 2009 MTA funding package, is a top priority for many suburban State Senate candidates, especially Republicans.
November 1, 2010
Albany Grabs Another $16.7 Million From MTA
Last week, the MTA announced it lost another $16.7 million to an Albany raid [PDF]. Because of lower-than-expected federal assistance for Medicaid, Albany instituted an across-the-board budget sweep of 1.1 percent, cutting state spending and also siphoning off theoretically separate revenue streams dedicated to specific programs and agencies, like the MTA. It's a reminder that the state's budget crisis is dragging the MTA and New York City transit riders down with it.
October 5, 2010
Rider Anger Grazes Incumbent Pols at Fare Hike Hearing
Outside Cooper Union yesterday evening, the sidewalks were packed with news cameras, security squads, political campaigners and activists pressing passersby with their plans for the MTA. Inside, the transit authority held the first of ten mandated public hearings on its proposed fare and toll hikes. Though attendance was sparse, the citizens who lined up to speak in all but unanimous opposition to the fare hike spared no venom for whichever target they chose, the MTA or the state government.
September 14, 2010
NYC Primaries: A Handful of Votes Will Shape Transpo Policy for Millions
Primary day is tomorrow, which means one thing for livable streets advocates: You need to get out there and vote. Remember, whether it's MTA financing or complete streets, bus lane cameras or smart growth, some of the biggest decisions about how New Yorkers get around will rest with the Albany-bound pols who win tomorrow.
September 13, 2010
Support for Congestion Pricing, Not Harlem River Tolls, at SD 31 Debate
Five candidates vying to become Upper Manhattan's next state senator met in the 168th Street Armory last night to make their case to the car-free voters of Riverdale, Inwood, Washington Heights, West Harlem, and the Upper West Side. At a debate sponsored by Transportation Alternatives and WE ACT for Environmental Justice, important differences emerged over how best to solve the MTA's budget crisis and make streets safe for pedestrians and cyclists.
September 8, 2010
This Week: Upper Manhattan Candidates Debate Transportation
Labor Day and the Jewish high holidays make this an abbreviated week, but with the critical primary elections just seven days away, the state's political world is going full-tilt. Tonight, at least three of the four candidates running to replace Eric Schneiderman in the State Senate will meet at a debate co-sponsored by Transportation Alternatives, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, and the Upper West Side Streets Renaissance to talk about how they plan to provide for the transportation needs of the Upper West Side, West Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, and Riverdale.
September 7, 2010
Lynn Nunes Gets Stage All to Himself at District 10 Transpo Q&A
It turns out that Shirley Huntley was the no-show at Wednesday night's State Senate District 10 transportation debate, letting challenger Lynn Nunes turn in a solo performance. Nunes is young -- 25 -- but he's commanding attention in this race after coming within four votes of unseating the recently deceased Thomas White in the City Council's 28th District last year, despite a near total lack of institutional backing.
September 3, 2010
Will Westchester Replace Richard Brodsky With a Better Voice for Transit?
Westchester Democrat Richard Brodsky is running for Attorney General this fall, leaving the seat of congestion pricing's leading opponent open. Will his successor take up Brodsky's anti-transit mantle or prove to better represent the environmental values on which Brodsky is now running for AG? We spoke with the three candidates vying to replace Brodsky in the Assembly, Democrats Tom Abinanti and Anna Sterne and Republican Tom Bock, to find out.
August 31, 2010