Albany Reform
Streetsblog Basics
State Budget Includes $625 Million Road Bailout for 2013
For years, Albany has raided the state's highway trust fund, using general tax revenue to patch holes. This year, the governor's budget, as filed in the Senate and Assembly, includes a mammoth $625 million road bailout, larger than the $519 million projected in the financial plan and higher than most trust fund bailouts in previous years.
February 11, 2013
Why Is David Gantt Still Running the Assembly Transpo Committee?
The Times published a great reminder today about last month's bus camera vote in the Assembly Transportation Committee, which weakened the city's plans for Bus Rapid Transit. The editorial page wonders why David Gantt, who for years has obstructed life-saving, transit-enhancing traffic enforcement measures, is still in charge of the committee:
July 24, 2008
Auto Dealers, Parking Garages and, Well, Lots of Others Fund Shelly
In case you missed it last week, New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is raising bucket-loads of campaign cash -- lots more than his two opponents, Paul Newell and Luke Henry. Groups that opposed congestion pricing are, no surprise, among some of the most enthusiastic contributors. The Times reported:
July 21, 2008
How David Gantt Sent Bus Cameras to Defeat in Albany
After state lawmakers dealt a setback to the city's Bus Rapid Transit plans, Streetsblog looked into how Assembly transportation committee chairman David Gantt was able to bring down a bill that reportedly enjoyed majority support among his members and won approval in the New York City Council by a 40 to 7 vote.
June 27, 2008
Skelos Ascension Clouds Prospect of Pricing Revival
Yesterday, retiring New York State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno handed the reins to Deputy Leader Dean Skelos, Republican from Nassau County. Though some see this unforeseen development as an opportunity to move on much-needed reforms in Albany, it's not great news for advocates of congestion pricing.
June 25, 2008
Shining a Light on Albany’s Bus Camera Vote
A source sends along this roll call of the State Assembly transportation committee's vote on bus-mounted enforcement cameras. The names come from the official record; whether the record accurately reflects who raised a hand and who didn't is not certain, for reasons explained below. Note that the vote was on whether to table the bill, so "Yes" actually means "No" to better bus lane enforcement. You can match names to districts here.
June 19, 2008
State Sen. Martin Connor Secretly “Supported” Pricing All Along
With state primary campaigns ramping up, Observer political reporter Azi Paybarah seems to be everywhere with his video camera. In this clip from a debate held by Democracy for New York City, he captures State Senator Martin Connor, who represents lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, in an unprompted admission of legislative cowardice.
May 21, 2008
Dick Gottfried Blames Bloomberg for Pricing Non-Vote
Care of the Politicker, here's 38-year incumbent Assembly Member Dick Gottfried explaining to the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club, whose endorsement he wants for his re-election bid, how democratic Shelly Silver's house is in comparison to the state Senate. All things considered, it's a jaw-dropping spiel.
May 20, 2008