While New York City has historically leaned blue, and upstate has leaned red, Long Island and the Hudson Valley have straddled the cusp of colors—and with many races neck and neck, it is unclear which way they’ll swing this year. These suburban regions face unique transportation issues that impact the economic viability of the region—limited public transit, dangerous and congested roads, growing freight traffic, and land use patterns that exacerbate transportation woes. The New York Transportation Survey, a collaboration of TSTC and Transportation Alternatives, recently asked New York’s suburban region candidates how they would tackle pressing transportation issues if sent to Albany.
Safety in the Streets
When it comes to the safety of our streets, all Hudson Valley and Long Island candidates responding to the survey agreed on one thing: the need to increase the penalties for dangerous drivers. Drivers with suspended or revoked licenses are nearly 4 times more likely to be in a crash and are involved in 10% of all fatal crashes in New York State; stiffer penalties can help to keep these drivers off the road.
However, when asked about more difficult choices—like making a greater investment in bicycle and pedestrian safety—the candidates’ responses diverged.
For example, in Orange County’s 97th Assembly District, Republican incumbent Ann Rabbitt addresses pedestrian safety by stating:
The State’s financial resources are under severe strain at this time. Nevertheless, pedestrian and bicycle safety are important components of the State’s overall transportation policy. The DOT’s draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) indicates that from 2005 to 2008, $262 million has been invested in bicycle and pedestrian projects and programs. I am also pleased that DOT has adopted a Pedestrian and Bicycle Policy that reaffirms the State’s commitment to meeting the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians. In addition, DOT has reconvened the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Council, which consists of representatives from State agencies, nongovernment organizations, and nonprofit advocacy groups, to provide advice about programs and policies that encourage bicycle use and walking throughout New York.
Clearly more needs to be done within the resources available for all transportation modes. I advocate continuation of projects to bring State highways into compliance with ADA requirements as well as the Safe Routes to Schools program so students can bike or walk to school safely. There are a number of federal funding streams that DOT, local governments, and school districts can access to help pay for these initiatives. The State’s infrastructure is old and was designed without consideration for bicyclists and pedestrians. I support making accommodations for these users but recognize it cannot be done as swiftly as we would all like.
Myrna Kemnitz, her Democratic opponent, in response to the same question, wrote:
New York should make a greater investment in pedestrian and bicycle safety by requiring each county and its municipalities to develop P&D safety projects in their comprehensive plans with required sections on: 1) Rationale and Education for promoting cycling and walking as another means of travel, personal health benefits, environmental benefits, more jobs benefits, specific safety programs for youth, adolescents, adults and seniors; 2) Prioritize Plan for creating pedestrian sidewalks and bicycle facilities; 3) Implementation plan for methods of creating facilities. Municipalities within the county would have to create their own plans under the umbrella of the county’s master plan and would be responsible for local sidewalks projects. County Transportation Committees would have oversight of road and rail projects and interconnections between neighborhoods. NY State should not mandate implementing a program without funding it with dollars specifically so encumbered. County programs should be subject to rigorous planning and accountability consequences. Competitive State grants with 80% payout from the state and 20% from the county of consortium of municipalities should fund constructing and implementing the best projects, the number each year TBD. Once implemented, sidewalk maintenance remains a local item, and the county maintains county trails and roadways.
See the full responses for Rabbitt and Kemitz.
Funding Mass Transit
Most of the outlying suburban counties have sued the MTA over the vastly unpopular payroll tax, and anger at the MTA was evident in many of the responses. Long Island Bus, recently tottering on the brink of extinction, was another point of funding contention.
In the 16th Assembly district, Democratic incumbent Michelle Schimel wrote:
The Long Island Bus provides access for a number of low income residents of Nassau County. Although I know that all forms of public transportation are facing budget cuts this year, I would demand that the budget – whatever it is – accurately reflects the ridership demand. We cannot neglect the Long Island bus simply because less affluent residents are the ones that depend on it. I would also encourage everyone, regardless of income, to ride buses – just like in New York City. Nassau County and the MTA must sit at the table and come up with solutions to the defunding of the Long Island Bus.
Her opponent, Scott Diamond (R) stated:
I believe that it is inappropriate to promise new or restored funding to the MTA Long Island Bus from any level of Government, considering the financial status that our state and Counties face. It is this mentality, that ‘sacred cows’ in our budget must be protected at all costs, that is partially responsible for the current financial status we now face.
See the full responses for Diamond and Schimel.
The survey results are a treasure for those interested in transportation issues in our region. Hit the site to do some digging. Tri-State and TA are non-partisan and do not support or oppose candidates or political parties.
