Some of the most contentious transportation discussions in the region are taking place on Long Island. For this reason, TSTC sent surveys to the incumbents and challengers in every state legislative district in Nassau and Suffolk counties. MTR is highlighting each district from which at least one candidate responded.
From left: Assm. Schimel, Mitchell.
Republican Matthew Mitchell is challenging Democratic Assemblymember Michelle Schimel (who is also running on the Working Families and Independence Party tickets) in New York’s 16th Assembly District that encompasses the north and central area of the Town of North Hempstead on the north shore of Long Island. TSTC received completed questionnaires from both Assm. Schimel and Mr. Mitchell. Here are some of the highlights:
Matthew Mitchell
Mr. Mitchell offered few specific statements on transportation policy, but said he is “always open to learn about initiatives to improve transportation flow in New York as long as we don’t adversely affect residents in those areas.” Mr. Mitchell did write that it is “imperative to provide good roadways” for the people of New York and that mass transit was especially important in a time of heightened environmental awareness and high gas prices.
Mr. Mitchell questioned whether there was a need for more service on LI Bus, Suffolk Bus and the LIRR, writing that “although ridership has increased an average of 14.47% for the three items … [the question is] whether or not there is still enough space on the buses and trains to handle that increased ridership.”
To counteract rising rates of pedestrian fatalities in Nassau County, Mr. Mitchell called for an increased police presence to deter drivers from speeding.
Mr. Mitchell opposes the LIRR Third Track project and would support the LIRR East Side Access project, the Long Island Intermodal Project at Pilgrim State, and the Route 347 widening project only if the projects had support from impacted residents.
Assm. Michelle Schimel
Assm. Schimel, during her tenure in Albany, has been an advocate for congestion pricing in New York City and for the LIRR Third Track project. To address increased ridership demand on Long Island’s transit infrastructure, Assm. Schimel also supports the LIRR East Side Access project. She wrote that maximum efficiency of the East Side Access project can not be fully realized without the Third Track.
In addition to supporting these projects, Assm. Schimel also supports the Long Island Intermodal at Pilgrim State, and believes that all three projects are integral to mitigating congestion on Long Island’s roads. She is a proponent of the Cross Harbor Freight Rail Tunnel, which she supports because it will link the nation’s freight rail system with the Bay Ridge and Montauk freight lines and reduce truck traffic.
To support these and other projects, Assm. Schimel suggests establishing a Commission on Infrastructure, a commission that would be responsible for ensuring that the transportation infrastructure of the state meets current and future demand.
Finally, Assm. Schimel criticized the process by which agencies and other entities unilaterally “decide that they have to widen lanes or increase parking, and… then attempt to ’sell’ their plans that suit their interests to the general public.” She called for a more open and cooperative land use planning process that connects transportation to land use in order to mitigate congestion and other transportation problems.
