Andrew Cuomo
Streetsblog Basics
State Panel OKs $255 Million Clean Water Raid for Tappan Zee Bridge
This afternoon, the Public Authorities Control Board signed off on a loan from the state's clean water fund to help finance the new Tappan Zee Bridge. The board approved half of the $511 million loan that Governor Andrew Cuomo is seeking, but the administration called it "the first installment" of the loan, creating the expectation of more clean water money to finance the extra-wide highway bridge. The approval, likely to be further challenged by advocates, could set a dangerous precedent for other governors looking to raid clean water funds for highway construction.
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
What We Know So Far About Cuomo’s MTA Reinvention Commission
In early May, Governor Andrew Cuomo directed the MTA to create a "transportation reinvention" panel as the authority prepared its next five-year capital plan. Members were appointed late last month, and the commission has launched Facebook and Twitter accounts. But details about its agenda and how open it will be to the public are scant. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking: The MTA capital plan has to be finalized by October 1.
July 9, 2014
Four Tough Problems the MTA Reinvention Commission Needs to Tackle
Governor Cuomo’s MTA Reinvention Commission met for the first time last week at the agency's midtown headquarters. Cuomo has charged the 22-member commission with developing a plan “to make our subways and our entire transit system ready for the challenges of the next century.” The commission’s recommendations are expected to shape the MTA’s next capital program -- its five-year plan for maintenance and expansion -- as well as the authority’s long-term planning and vision.
July 1, 2014
Cuomo Panel Approves Clean Water Funds for Highway Bridge Construction
Earlier today, the state Environmental Facilities Corporation unanimously approved a $511 million loan from the state's federally-funded clean water program to the Tappan Zee Bridge construction project, using funds intended for clean water initiatives in New York City.
June 26, 2014
EPA to Cuomo: Paying for a Highway With Clean Water Funds? Not So Fast
Will anyone stop Governor Andrew Cuomo from using the state's clean water program to pay for a big new highway bridge to replace the Tappan Zee?
June 26, 2014
NYC Bike-Ped Projects Get $21 Million in Federal Funds From State DOT
On Tuesday, Governor Cuomo announced that the state DOT is awarding $21.2 million in federal highway safety funds over three years to nine projects in New York City that all include big safety improvements for biking and walking. Advocates welcomed the news, but still have questions about whether the state is allocating enough money to active transportation projects statewide.
June 12, 2014
Will Cuomo Help the MTA Make “Every Dollar Count”?
The MTA has made big strides in recent years to streamline its operations, but without political leadership from Governor Cuomo, the agency won't be able to tackle the high costs and inefficiencies that continue to hamper the city's transit system.
June 10, 2014
Questions Linger Over Cuomo’s Tappan Zee Transit Plans
On Monday, Governor Cuomo announced that the state would provide $20 million for transit service across the new Tappan Zee Bridge, and is applying for a federal grant as well. While this first step is welcome news, there are still more questions than answers about what this money will pay for and how the rest of the project's bus system will be funded and operated.
April 30, 2014
MTA-TWU Agreement: What’s the Plan Now, Governor?
The MTA’s financial situation became much murkier yesterday as Governor Cuomo announced that retroactive raises will be part of a labor agreement between the transit authority and the Transport Workers Union.
April 18, 2014