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For Immediate Release: Wednesday, January 26th, 2005 Contact: Jordan Isenstadt (c) 516.991.3842 (w) 212.490.9535 (f) 212.490.2151 ***PRESS RELEASE*** State Senator Liz Krueger
Condemns Proposed Cuts Pataki's "Retro” Capital Budget Endangers Transit Riders
and New York, NY – State
Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) criticized Governor George E. Pataki
today for his failure to offer adequate funding to the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (MTA) in his capital budget proposal released last
week. “Governor Pataki’s retro capital plan echoes capital proposals of the
1970’s, and will likely lead to the deferment of basic maintenance, and a
return to the chaotic conditions seen in the early 1980’s leaving future
generations with a system rife with stalled trains, decreased service and
aggravated passengers for years to come,” said Senator Krueger. The Governor’s proposal also threatens
desperately needed expansion projects like the Second Avenue Subway. Krueger continued, “the Governor’s
budget proposes that New York City can continue to grow and retain its
economic status with a transportation network constructed over a century
ago. I disagree and will do all I can
to see to it that the Second Avenue Subway is constructed on time.” Last week, Governor Pataki
proposed spending $19.2 billion for the MTA’s five-year capital
program. Of that, he proposed $15.2 billion for the MTA Capital Core
Program, which addresses the basic infrastructure needs, as well as regular
maintenance and upgrades. Additionally, the Governor proposed only $2 billion
for expansion projects, including the Second Avenue Subway and East Side
Access. This funding proposal blatantly ignores the authority's
recommendation of $27.7 billion for the capital plan, including $17.2 billion
earmarked for essential maintenance, and over $7 billion for expansion
projects. The Governor appoints every member of the MTA board. Krueger also noted the Governor’s proposal does nothing to stave
off future fare increases by assisting with payments to the MTA’s $19.7
billion debt, one of the largest sums of public debt in the nation.
This debt figure does not include the Governor’s proposed $3 billion in
additional debt for the 2005-2009 capital budget plan or the $3 billion left
unfunded in the current proposal.
"We already know that the MTA will likely have to raise fares
almost every year as a result of debt incurred from past capital
budgets," stated Senator Krueger. "The Governor’s proposal
does almost nothing to mitigate future debt payments and ensures that transit
riders throughout New York City, Westchester and Long Island will face an
endless series of future fare increases as far as the eye can see." While the Governor did propose
increases to the Mortgage Recording Tax and other fees to pay for the $19.2
billion budget, he ignored a whole host of other possible revenue streams,
including many proposed by the MTA board. Possible additional revenue
sources include increases to the Petroleum Business Tax, a reinstatement of
the Commuter Tax, and the tolling of East River crossings. The lack of
funding will also delay many upgrades deemed essential by the MTA and
supported by the Regional Plan Association (RPA), among other prominent
organizations. Krueger urged the Governor to review proposals
released by the RPA and the Transit Workers Union (TWU) - Loca1 100. The lack of funding to expansion
projects will be particularly devastating to the East Side of Manhattan.
"The Second Avenue Subway has been on the backburner for over eighty years
and now that we finally have some solid plans in place, this lack of funding
will kill it. The project is a necessity," stated Senator Krueger.
"In my district, residents of densely populated neighborhoods, such as
the Upper East Side, Turtle Bay, Kips Bay, and Murray Hill, have to endure
long walks to a subway line that is dangerously overcrowded and frequently
delayed. The Second Avenue Subway will also play a key role in the economic
revitalization of New York City in a post September 11th economy. The
project is a significant investment in the future of our City. Lower
Manhattan will most certainly benefit, as well as other underserved areas,
such as the Lower East Side, East Harlem and Chinatown." "The Governor must rethink
the proposed capital budget and submits changes to ensure a safe, expanded
and reasonably priced transit system for this and future generations of New
Yorkers,” concluded Senator Krueger. “Just as DeWitt Clinton foresaw that the construction of the
Erie Canal would lead New York to become the largest and richest city in
North America, Governor Pataki must come to realize that New York must make
these critical investments in transportation to maintain and build on its
standing in the world." -30- |
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