08 November 2005

maybe one day i won't hate the mta...

doubtful, i know.

here're some reasons to vote for prop 2, which is meant to give the MTA and the state gov't some extra money, but i don't know if they can be trusted with it....

This proposal authorizes the creation of State debt and the sale of State bonds in the amount of $2.9 billion to fund the maintenance and improvement of the State’s transportation infrastructure. The $2.9 billion would be evenly distributed between projects managed by the State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and projects managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The $2.9 billion bond would be part of a larger five-year plan, comprised of a $17.9 billion transportation capital plan administered by NYSDOT and a $17.9 billion MTA transportation capital plan, which together are estimated to fund State transportation needs through 2010.

The money raised by selling the $2.9 billion in bonds would be spent only to improve, preserve, and restore the quality of New York’s transportation infrastructure, as follows:

  • $1.45 billion for NYSDOT projects, including the planning and design, construction, improvement, and preservation of:
  • State highways, bridges, and parkways;
  • the canal system and connected property; and roads, bridges, and other projects related to the canal system;
  • pedestrian or bicycle trails, pathways, and bridges;
  • airports and aviation facilities and equipment; and roads, bridges, and other projects related to airports and aviation facilities;
  • ports, marine terminals, and marine transportation facilities, except those under the control of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey;
  • omnibus, mass transit, and rapid transit systems, facilities, and equipment, except those under the control of the MTA, the New York City Transit Authority, and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority; and
  • urban, commuter, and intercity passenger rail, freight rail, and intermodal (multi-mode) passenger and freight facilities and equipment, except those under the control of the MTA and the New York City Transit Authority;
  • $1.45 billion for MTA projects, including the planning and design, construction, improvement, and preservation of:
    urban and commuter passenger and freight rail, including $100 million earmarked for a Rail Link to the John F. Kennedy Airport; and
    omnibus, mass transit, and rapid transit systems (including $450 million earmarked for the Second Avenue Subway), and related facilities and equipment operated or acquired by or under control of the MTA and the New York City Transit Authority.

A more detailed description of how the $2.9 billion bond will be allocated is contained in the July 13, 2005 Joint Memorandum of Understanding issued by the Governor, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Assembly Speaker and its exhibits, which is on the website of New York State's Division of the Budget, at http://www.budget.state.ny.us.

all bolding is mine (except the links) and you can see a pro and con argument here. (via Gothamist)

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