It can't be stressed enough how early we are in state budget negotiations, bu, it doesn't seem like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is significantly closer to having Albany open the doors to transportation dreams, despite a cheery reception from his old colleagues in the statehouse.
On the annual "Tin Cup" day, where local leaders come to Albany asking for more state funding and some policy changes, Mamdani offered his signature pleas to state lawmakers that fast and free buses are crucial to making New York City affordable.
Everyone may remember the success of the free bus pilot of yesteryear, but there is only so much money and time to go around as state lawmakers attempt to meet a variety of the city's needs. Mamdani's chief ally on the topic, state Senate Deputy Minority Leader Mike Gianaris (D-Queens), is also headed out the door at the end of the year.
For now, the only one taking the time to loudly and firmly place themselves in the "no" column is Gov. Hochul, who alternatively wants to give Mamdani a program to stop super speeders across the five boroughs (even if our colleagues at Streetsblog NYC raised questions about how the city could properly implement it without the state Department of Motor Vehicles).
As we said, it's early. If you want to follow Mamdani's transportation agenda — and the transportation agenda of his counterparts all over the state — there's only one place to go every day (here).
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In other news from Wednesday:
- Mayors, some new, some old, from all over the state are also seeking financial assistance from state lawmakers. (State of Politics)
- The Mamdani administration found $5 billion between the couch cushions as it attempts to reconcile a budget gap and seek the state's help. (City & State)
- International Transport Workers Union Local 100 is getting off the Hochul train this cycle. (New York Post)
- New York Republicans anointed Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman as their choice for governor. He says he would end congestion pricing on Day 1 of his administration. (Newsday, News 12 Long Island)
- Lawyers for Mavis Discount Tire say that the estates of the last two victims of the Schoharie Limousine Crash shouldn't be able to revise their wrongful death lawsuits. (The Times Union)
- Drivers in Westchester County are vandalizing each others' cars while warring over parking spots. (ABC7)
- State police made 177 DWI arrests over the Super Bowl weekend. (Mid-Hudson News)
