The blizzard has landed.
Gov. Hochul declared a state of emergency in Albany, Bronx, Columbia, Greene, Delaware, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester and Contiguous Counties in response to heavy snowfall hitting the region.
Many counties have issued travel bans as up to 24 inches of snow is expected to hit roads and tracks in New York, depending on the region. There are also schedule changes for LIRR and Metro-North riders. The last snowfall created hellish road conditions in the aftermath for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, and New Yorkers' existing complaints could prompt a better response this time around.
Above all, the Empire State is tough, and our leadership reflects that. On Sunday, Gov. Hochul allowed bars to serve booze early enough for fans of the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team, which ended up winning the gold medal. If one must be forced off the roads due to torrential snow, let them bask in a mixture of sport and alcohol induced patriotism.
More news:
- Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer is donating to state comptroller candidate Drew Warshaw's campaign nearly 20 years after he tried to block state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's appointment by the state Legislature. (The Times Union)
- A convoluted New York City shoveling sign-up sheet is catching flak and emergency workers aren't showing up in droves. (The New York Post)
- Learn more about transportation reporter Stefanos Chen. (The New York Times)
- A Bard College conductor died from his injuries after being struck by a car driver while fixing a tire on the Taconic Parkway. (The Daily Catch)
- You can have as many listening sessions as you want, but in Buffalo, they aren't quelling concerns about the Kensington Expressway's future. (BTPM)
- Assembly Transportation Chair Bill Magnarelli has a challenger on his hands. (Central Current)
- Alon Levy makes a strong case against free buses. (Pedestrian Observations)
- NYC's Big Dig? A world-historical highway boondoggle is a less-than-stellar aspiration for the BQE. (Gothamist)
- Comptroller Mark Levine apparently thinks City Hall is underestimating how much money it will have to give the MTA this year, but it's hard to tell what the substance of the disagreement is from this NY Post story.
