Dean Skelos
Streetsblog Basics
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
With Victims’ Families in Albany, Senate Could Vote on 25 MPH Bill Soon
Update: As of 8:30 p.m. Thursday, the Senate had not yet voted on the bill. The vote may come later tonight. Senators expect to be in session on Friday, according to Jimmy Vielkind of Capital New York.
June 19, 2014
Tell Marty Golden and Andrew Lanza the Lifesaving 25 MPH Bill Can’t Wait
If you haven't done so already, now is the time to urge key Senate lawmakers to get behind the bill to lower New York City's default speed limit from 30 to 25 miles per hour.
June 19, 2014
Avella, Savino Back 25 MPH Bill — Now NYC Republicans Must Convince Skelos
State Senator Tony Avella, who opposed an earlier bill to lower New York City's default speed limit to 20 mph, says he will vote for Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein's bill to set the limit at 25 mph. He'll be joined by fellow IDC member Diane Savino, who will sign on as a co-sponsor. So it's up to New York City's two Republican state senators to convince Senate Co-Leader Dean Skelos to bring the bill up for a vote tomorrow, the final day of the legislative session.
June 18, 2014
Joke of the Day: Dean Skelos “Concerned” About MTA Debt
In a letter to MTA Chair Joe Lhota, State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos writes that he's withholding approval for $770 million in MTA capital funding and a hike in the agency's borrowing limit because "a staggering $42 billion bonding debt level is of great concern." (Hat tip to Dana Rubinstein at Capital New York.)
March 16, 2012
Cuomo Deal Will Cut Payroll Tax, Reimburse MTA, Create Infrastructure Fund
The details of Governor Cuomo's economic plan, which includes both tax reform and a new infrastructure fund, were released today with support from Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos.
December 6, 2011
Albany Lacks Leadership on Transit as Time Runs Out on MTA Capital Funding
The MTA is still staring down a $10 billion hole in its capital plan, and the consequences of that deficit continue to roll closer. Unless money is found by the end of the year, transit expansions like the Second Avenue Subway will slow down and important maintenance will be left undone. But despite the approaching deadline, no one in Albany seems willing to step up and even begin to tackle the issue.
March 1, 2011
Splinter Group of Senate Dems Want MTA Payroll Tax on Chopping Block
The fate of the payroll mobility tax, which brings in $1.34 billion a year to the MTA, just grew a little shakier. The four members of the State Senate's new Independent Democratic Conference, who split off from the minority Democrats last week, have come out with their agenda and included in it is a call to "reform" the tax and even consider eliminating it. Any cut to the mobility tax would spell disaster for transit riders.
January 10, 2011
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
With No Plan for Transit, the Next Fare Hike Is Just Around the Bend
If state legislators don't act to undo the outcome of today's MTA Board meeting, it would mark the second straight year that fares have gone up, which is already a departure from the norm. And it's going to get worse, say Gene Russianoff and the Straphangers Campaign:
March 25, 2009