Will Cuomo Sign the Transit Lockbox Bill?
The transit lockbox bill, which would require Albany to disclose the impacts of any raid of dedicated transit funds, passed both the Senate and Assembly unanimously in the final days of the legislative session, reports the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. It now heads to Governor Andrew Cuomo's desk. A nearly identical bill reached Cuomo in 2011, but the governor gutted the disclosure provision and signed a toothless bill. This time around, will Cuomo put pen to paper and protect transit riders?
June 20, 2013
After Unanimous Senate Vote, Transit Lockbox Bill Heads to Assembly
Albany has long used the MTA as a piggy bank, raiding dedicated transit funds on a regular basis to cover gaps in the state budget. As a result, straphangers are squeezed as transit agencies resort to fare hikes and service cuts to make up the difference.
June 13, 2013
Albany’s Slimmed-Down Speed Cam Legislation Could Cross the Finish Line
This afternoon, the City Council passed a home rule resolution calling on Albany to pass legislation enabling speed enforcement cameras in school zones. The last time there was action on speed camera legislation, more than two months ago, Mayor Bloomberg was chastising state senators Marty Golden, Simcha Felder, and Dean Skelos for torpedoing the program in the Senate's budget legislation after the Assembly moved ahead with automated enforcement in its budget proposal. Now it looks like a more restricted version of that bill has a good shot at passing.
June 12, 2013
After 102 Days, Cuomo Finally Names Tom Prendergast MTA Chief
Today Governor Andrew Cuomo named Tom Prendergast Chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Prendergast had been serving as interim executive director of the agency for more than three months, since Joseph Lhota departed at the end of last year to run for mayor. Prendergast, like previous MTA chiefs Lee Sander and Jay Walder, brings deep experience in transit management to the job.
April 12, 2013
State DOT “Multi-Modal Funds” Have Starring Role in Malcolm Smith Scandal
In the wake of a scandal-soaked week in Albany, Governor Cuomo held a press conference this afternoon with district attorneys from across the state to announce a new anti-corruption law. As he seeks to tighten the rules in Albany, Cuomo could take immediate steps to make sure a transportation funding mechanism that featured prominently in last week's scandals is fortified against abuse by lawmakers.
April 9, 2013
In State Budget, Tax Receipts Giveth to MTA, and Cuomo Taketh Away
Earlier this week, there was good news for transit riders: MTA tax receipts came in higher than expected, providing up to $40 million in additional revenue this year. While the MTA isn't scheduled to update its budget until summer, there is already talk of using the money to restore cuts or expand service.
March 29, 2013
How Much Research Does Marty Golden Need to Say Yes to Speed Cameras?
State Senator Marty Golden, a former police officer and prominent Brooklyn Republican, has joined forces with the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association and AAA New York to oppose speed cameras. Now that Golden has succeeded in keeping them out of the state budget, he says he might be open to the idea, after all.
March 27, 2013
Will Shelly Silver and Albany Finally Save Lives With a Speed Cam Bill?
After efforts to enable speed cameras in New York City stalled in Albany the past few years, a new speed cam bill in the Assembly now has more than 30 sponsors, and introduction of a State Senate bill is expected soon.
March 8, 2013
What Andrew Cuomo Could Learn About Transit From Deval Patrick
As New Yorkers wait to find out if Governor Cuomo is even thinking about finding someone to chair the MTA, his lack of attention to transit stands in stark contrast to another northeastern governor -- one who in the past six months not only named a new transit head, but also released a plan to fund the state's transportation system and made it a focal point of his State of the State address.
February 27, 2013
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