Thursday Headlines: Legalese And Funding Freeze Edition

Gov. Hochul’s Uber-backed proposal to lower car insurance premiums has inflamed crash victims and the attorneys who represent them.

As Streetsblog’s Kevin Duggan reported yesterday, attorneys say the governor is attempting to shift costs onto survivors rather than drivers and insurance companies. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also endorsed the plan to narrow the state’s definition of a serious injury, prompting Streetsblog NYC to say its honeymoon with Hizzoner is over.

The New York State Trial Lawyers Association went as far as comparing Hochul to attempted Disney Czar and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Meanwhile, the New York State Public Transit Association was frustrated that Hochul did not mention in her State of the State address anything about increasing State Operating Assistance, a pool of money that upstate transit authorities use to maintain operations.

Association President Miguel Velázquez noted that the funding pool hasn’t kept pace with reality, even as state leaders recognize the vital importance of public transit as New Yorkers endure an affordability crisis.

“Aging buses, outdated facilities and workforce pressures threaten service
reliability at a time when more New Yorkers are turning to public transit to save money,” Velázquez wrote. “With operating costs continuing to rise, the reality is that flat funding is a cut in funding because it does not keep pace with inflation, growth, and expansion needs.”

Velázquez, who is also CEO of the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation
Authority, will join his counterparts around the state in pushing for a 15-percent increase in State Operating Assistance.

In other news:

• The Trump administration has appointed a mediation panel as the Long Island Rail Road’s employees consider a work stoppage. (Newsday)
• The state Legislature is losing lawmakers left and right with Assembly Member Angelo Morinello (R-Niagara Falls) not seeking re-election. (The Buffalo News)
• Verizon users lost service across the country in what was a deeply painful experience for New Yorkers with a phone addiction or media professions. (CNN)
• The investigation into state DOT’s role in the tragic 2018 Schoharie limousine crash that left 20 dead is nearing its end. (the Times Union)
• The state Attorney General’s Office is investigating the death of an 82-year-old man who was struck by an off-duty Erie County Sheriff’s deputy. (WGRZ)
• The city outlet amNY followed our world-leading coverage of the coming AV threat.
• Tariffs and policy revanchism is killing the e-bike boom. (Bloomberg)
• NJ Gov. Phil Murphy once said he would fix NJ Transit or die trying. So given that complaints continue, will Murphy simply expire on his last day in office later this month? (X.com)
• On the other hand, North Jersey.com says Chairman Kevin O’Toole and Executive Director Rick Cotton revitalized the Port Authority.
• The nation needs fewer bus stops apparently. (Works in Progress)
• A pedestrian was killed after being struck by a car on Central Avenue in Colonie. (NEWS10)