Andrew Cuomo
Streetsblog Basics
Cuomo, Albany Balance MTA’s Books on the Backs of Straphangers
Ever since the State Senate killed bridge tolls in the 2009 MTA funding package, the question has lingered: How is Albany going to finish the job and pay for the final three years of the MTA's five-year capital program?
July 27, 2011
With Plenty of Fanfare, Cuomo Toughens New York’s Distracted Driving Law
Standing in front of two police cars and an enormous electronic traffic sign, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed tougher statewide distracted driving legislation into law this afternoon.
July 12, 2011
Legislature Passes Distracted Driving Bill With Weaker Penalty Than Cuomo’s
Legislation beefing up the state's distracted driving laws passed the state legislature at the end of what was a fairly productive session on transportation issues last month. If signed into law, the bill should help prevent some of the 10,000 crashes caused by distracted driving each year in New York state. What passed the legislature is slightly weaker, however, than the distracted driving bill put forward by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
July 5, 2011
Will Cuomo Protect Transit Riders and Sign the Transit Lockbox Bill?
Led by Assembly Member James Brennan, the State Assembly joined the Senate and took a strong stand in support of transit riders this afternoon, passing the transit lockbox bill by a unanimous vote of 98-0. Speaker Sheldon Silver came out in support of the legislation last night, putting it on a smooth path through the Assembly. The question now is whether Cuomo will sign the bill -- and there are a few indications that he may not.
June 24, 2011
Cuomo to Introduce Statewide Distracted Driving Bill With Teeth
Andrew Cuomo said today that he will introduce a bill to toughen state provisions intended to protect people from drivers who text or use portable electronic devices of any sort behind the wheel. The bill closes loopholes and adds stricter penalties for distracted driving, which contributes to more than 10,000 crashes per year in New York state.
June 10, 2011
If Cuomo Fires Chris Ward, NY and NJ Will Lose a Proven Leader
Chris Ward may only have a few months left as executive director of the Port Authority. According to a report in the New York Post, Andrew Cuomo intends to replace the Paterson appointee this fall, once the ceremonies marking the tenth anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks have passed.
May 31, 2011
Cuomo to Cut 10 Percent of State Parking Placards
In response to some high-profile abuses of state-issued parking placards and a report by the state's Inspector General, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday that he will be reforming the way placards are issued and releasing ten percent fewer total placards. The new state placard regime will be only modestly more strict than before, but creates a framework for regulating what have become coveted perks and magnets for petty corruption.
April 8, 2011
Final Budget Deal Does Not Add to Cuomo’s Transit Raid [Updated]
The final budget agreement reached by Albany leadership will not make additional cuts to transit funding, a state budget division spokesperson confirmed this afternoon. Negotiations with the legislature did not ultimately change the total amount of transit funding from Andrew Cuomo's executive budget, which raided $100 million from dedicated transit funds.
March 29, 2011
Assembly and Senate Would Strip Another $170M From Transit Riders
When Andrew Cuomo released his executive budget in February, it included a $100 million raid on dedicated transit funds. As Cuomo hammers out the budget in negotiations with the State Assembly and Senate, however, it seems that the MTA could lose up to another $170 million. Both houses of the legislature are seeking cuts and the issue appears to be very much alive.
March 24, 2011
Unlicensed Drivers of Private Cars a Far Bigger Threat Than Tour Bus Drivers
Last week's tragic bus crash in the Bronx, which left 15 dead, has captured the attention of New York's media and political elite. Since the crash took place nine days ago, the New York Times has published no fewer than seven articles updating its readers on every detail and development.
March 21, 2011