From left: Sen. Skelos, Simon.

Democrat Roy Simon is challenging Republican State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (also running on the Conservative and Independence tickets) in New York’s 9th Senate District which encompasses parts of the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County. TSTC received no response from Sen. Skelos, but Mr. Simon provided TSTC with a completed questionnaire that highlighted his stances on particular transportation issues:

Roy Simon

Mr. Simon supports the LIRR Third Track project and said increased transit funding should be devoted to better connections between different bus services and between the LIRR and bus systems.

Mr. Simon argues that more carpool lanes are needed, as well as better enforcement of carpool lanes and financial incentives to expand carpool programs. To cut down on cyclist fatalities, he calls for more and better bike lanes, with physical separation between the cycle and traffic lanes.

In terms of land use, the candidate wrote that “we need to begin designing and building shopping, living, and business centers that are not dependent on auto-mobility.” He wrote that shopping centers and transit stations needed more secure bicycle parking.

In addition to the LIRR Third Track, Mr. Simon supports East Side Access and the Route 347 widening. He is undecided on the Long Intermodal at Pilgrim State.

State Sen. Dean Skelos

Sen. Skelos was named Senate Majority Leader in June of this year, giving him broad control over the State Senate’s direction, if state Republicans can hold onto their slim Senate majority. He was a member of the MTA Capital Plan Review Board until this year, which he says allowed him to fight for money for LIRR station upgrades. In 2000, Sen. Skelos was influential in winning additional state aid for Long Island Bus after then-Nassau County Executive Tom Gulotta slashed funding (MTR # 263).

Sen. Skelos authored legislation repealing the commuter tax in 1999, voted against creating a state commission to study congestion mitigation last year, and voted against NYC’s congestion pricing plan. He has publicly supported the East Side Access project to bring the LIRR into Grand Central Terminal

From left: Sen. Marcellino, Meng.

Democrat Matthew Meng is challenging Republican State Sen. Carl Marcellino (also running on the Conservative and Independence tickets) in New York’s 5th Senate District which encompasses parts of the Towns of Huntington and Oyster Bay in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. TSTC received no response from Sen. Marcellino, but Mr. Meng provided TSTC with a completed questionnaire that highlighted his stances on particular transportation issues:

Matthew Meng

Mr. Meng would support the LIRR Third Track project, pursue congestion pricing and push for more bike lanes, crosswalks and pedestrian bridges to reduce the number of pedestrian fatalities on Long Island. He supports traffic calming and wrote that there should be “no new development on L.I. without having sidewalks and bicycle paths/rights-of-way.”

To address increased demand for public transit, Mr. Meng proposes to develop more north-south transit connections and support connecting Carle Place LIRR station to the Nassau Hub project in Uniondale via buses and/or extensions of LIRR lines. Mr. Meng would promote “rideshare” programs and encourage the use of jitney buses by large firms when possible. He said that red light cameras could help fund transportation.

In addition to the Third Track, Mr. Meng supports the LIRR East Side Access project and the Long Island Intermodal project at Pilgrim State. He is currently undecided on the Route 347 widening as he has “not fully studied the project.”

State Sen. Carl Marcellino

State Sen. Marcellino, going by his sponsored legislation, has focused on transportation policy primarily from a public safety perspective; he sponsored legislation which banned the use of handheld cell phones while driving and a separate bill banning texting while driving. However, he has been more active when it comes to promoting smart growth and brownfield redevelopment on Long Island. He sponsored several bills to provide tax credits for brownfield remediation, as well as the bill that created the New York State Smart Growth Cabinet.

Assm. Weisenberg.

Republican Michael McGinty (also running on the Conservative ticket) is challenging Democratic Assm. Harvey Weisenberg (also running on the Independence and Working Families tickets) in New York’s 20th Assembly District which encompasses the Southwestern sector of the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County. TSTC received no response from the challenger, Mr. McGinty, but Assm. Weisenberg provided TSTC with a completed questionnaire and highlighted his stances on particular transportation issues. Here are some highlights:

Assm. Weisenberg, a member of the Assembly Transportation Committee, authored (prime sponsored) several pieces of legislation that address public safety issues surrounding transportation, such as increasing penalities for DWIs and requiring defibrillators on MTA trains. He also indicated that he has consistently supported and championed measures in the state budget to improve roads and bridges.

To support increased demand for public transportation and to reduce congestion on Long Island, Assm. Weisenberg indicates he will continue to “advocate for adequate funding in the state budget for programs that expand availability in areas where ridership has increased, and where ridership is expected to increase.” He also secured approximately $20 million to expand the parking lot at the Long Beach LIRR station.

Assm. Weisenberg is a supporter of the LIRR East Side Access project, the LIRR Third Track project, the Long Island Intermodal project at Pilgrim State and adding travel lanes on Route 347.

Image: MTR was unable to find a picture of challenger Michael McGinty.

From left: Assm. McDonough, Kudler.

Democrat Howard Kudler is challenging Republican Assm. David McDonough (also running on the Conservative, Independence and Working Families tickets) in New York’s 19th Assembly District, which encompasses the Southeastern sector of the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County. TSTC received responses from both candidates. Here are some of the highlights:

Howard Kudler

Mr. Kudler identified his top transportation priorities as resolving the problems of overcrowded highways, particularly the Southern State and Sunrise Highway, and holding the MTA accountable for fare hikes and its level of services.

Mr. Kudler proposes running double decker and luxury buses on Sunrise Highway to attract more ridership and make public transit “fun and visual.” He would also encourage adding more bike racks at LIRR stations. Mr. Kudler would also encourage development zones on Long Island and create transportation hubs to service the businesses.

To address traffic congestion, Mr. Kudler proposes to widen the Wantaugh Parkway and to push for the construction of an Oyster Bay-Connecticut tunnel that, according to him, “would allow more commercial trucking to access Long Island and bypass New York City.” He supports the LIRR East Side Access project, the LIRR Third Track project, the Long Island Intermodal project at Pilgrim State and the road widening along Route 347.

In order to fund transportation systems on Long Island, Mr. Kudler would have government agencies create “funded, privatized transportation groups” and would encourage large corporations to fund and finance transportation via tax incentives.

To reduce traffic and pedestrian fatalities, Mr. Kudler proposes to create walkways over roads like Sunrise Highway. These walkways would also connect to business zones.

Assm. David McDonough

Assm. McDonough is the ranking member (most-senior Republican) of the Assembly Transportation Committee. He supported proposals that made pedestrian and bicycle paths eligible for federal funds, as well as efforts to establish a bus rapid transit and mobility demonstration program in NYC (the latter was ultimately held up in committee).

Assm. McDonough said that it was necessary to study projects like the LIRR Third Track and the expansion of LI Bus terminals because of increased demand for mass transit on Long Island. However, he is currently undecided on whether to support the Third Track project. The assemblymember does support increased funding for LI Bus, and said it needed additional support from Nassau County as well.

When it comes to reducing congestion, the assemblymember said that the impacts of adding highway lanes have to be studied and that expanding bicycle and pedestrian paths would both reduce congestion and reduce pedestrian and cyclist fatalities on Long Island. Assm. McDonough called for NYSDOT to work with local governments on smart growth initiatives and in building street grids that alleviate traffic congestion and reduce the amount of travelers on roadways.

To support these initiatives, Assm. McDonough says he will “work to pass local bills in the Assembly that would provide funding for smart growth projects, bus related projects and measures that would improve LIRR ridership.”

Assm. McDonough indicated his support for the LIRR East Side Access project and the adding of travel lanes along Route 347. He is currently undecided as to his opposition to or support for the Long Island Intermodal project at Pilgrim State.

From left: Assm. Hooper, Conyers, Bryant.

Democratic Assm. Earlene Hooper (also running on the Independence ticket) is facing a two-pronged challenge from Working Families candidate Henry Conyers and Republican candidate Darren Bryant (also running on the Conservative ticket) in the 18th Assembly District which encompasses the Village of Hempstead, Uniondale, and Roosevelt in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County. TSTC received no response from Mr. Bryant, but Assm. Hooper and the WFP challenger, Mr. Conyers, provided TSTC with completed questionnaires. Here are some of the highlights:

Henry Conyers

Mr. Conyers said his vision was to see an alternative mass transit system implemented from New York City to the end of Suffolk County. He believes this new system would alleviate the overburdened LIRR as well as the LI Bus and Suffolk Bus systems, and wrote that the new system would create needed jobs and pay for itself. To reduce congestion, Mr. Conyers would work to eliminate all tractor trailer traffic on Long Island roadways by pushing for an expanded freight rail system.

In response to the high numbers of pedestrian and traffic fatalities on Long Island, Mr. Conyers called for installation of red light cameras and implementing more bike lanes in all New York counties.

Mr. Conyers supports the LIRR East Side Access project, the LIRR Third Track project and the Long Island Intermodal project at Pilgrim State. He is undecided as to his support or opposition to the addition of travel lanes on Route 347 in the Towns of Smithtown, Islip and Brookhaven.

Assm. Earlene Hooper

Assm. Hooper would push for increased train frequency (every 30-35 minutes as opposed to hourly, she wrote) and upgrade technology on the trains like temperature control that is more responsive to the weather. Assm. Hooper would also work to improve bus-rail connectivity in suburban areas. These actions, as well as adopting flex-time work hours at government agencies, would also decrease congestion on Long Island’s roads, she said.

To mitigate transportation problems caused by poor land use decisions, Assm. Hooper said that during the decision-making process the “sincere” inclusion and involvement of local residents and business was needed prior to “doing business as usual.”

Assm. Hooper supports the LIRR East Side Access project and the LIRR Third Track project, but is undecided when it comes to the Long Island Intermodal project at Pilgrim State and the addition of travel lanes on Route 347.

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.

From left: Assm. Barra, Ferrara.

Democrat Joe Ferrara is challenging Republican Assemblymember Bob Barra (who is also running on the Conservative, Independence Party, and Working Family tickets) in New York’s 14th Assembly District that encompasses the middle portion of the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County. Assm. Barra said that he “does not complete questionnaires because [his] record speaks for itself,” but Mr. Ferrara provided TSTC with a completed questionnaire highlighting his stances on particular transportation issues. Here are some of the highlights:

If elected, Mr. Ferrara would support expanded bus and train service, as well as congestion pricing if it is again considered. Mr. Ferrara said he would “do everything in [his] power” to make sure that the MTA received the funding needed to expand services. He talked about streamlining government to make agencies more efficient, but said that, ultimately, grassroots advocacy will be necessary to convince elected officials and the public of the importance of mass transit and the need to adequately fund it.

To combat congestion, Mr. Ferrara said he would be a “forceful advocate” in Albany for smart growth, promoting walkable, pedestrian friendly communities with easy access to mass transit. This strategy could also improve his district’s main streets and business districts, he wrote.

Responding to a question which cited the high rates of pedestrian fatalities in Nassau County and throughout Long Island, Mr. Ferrara indicated that he would support red light cameras and other initiatives to help calm traffic. He also believes that additional funding for bike lanes and other projects that protect pedestrians is needed.

Mr. Ferrara supports the LIRR East Side Access project, the LIRR Third Track project and the Long Island Intermodal at Pilgrim State. Of the candidates responding to TSTC’s questionnaire, he was the only one to oppose outright the Route 347 lane expansion project.

Research on Assm. Barra’s transportation record found that he has sponsored legislation that would require the MTA to hold at least one public hearing in Nassau County when considering a toll increase. In addition, Assm. Barra sponsored legislation that would allow Nassau County residents to purchase tokens for use at MTA tolls at an 80% discount.

Assm. Sweeney.

Democratic Assemblymember Robert Sweeney (who is also running on the Independence Party and Working Families tickets) is running unopposed in New York’s 11th Assembly District that encompasses the western half of the Town of Babylon in Suffolk County. This district abuts Nassau County and includes the Village of Lindenhurst. Assm. Sweeney was initially challenged by James McDonaugh, but Mr. McDonaugh withdrew from the race in September due to a family illness. Assm. Sweeney provided TSTC with a completed questionnaire highlighting his stances on particular transportation issues. Here are some of the highlights:

Assm. Sweeney indicated that he has obtained state funds for Suffolk Transit as well as for LIRR station upgrades in his district. He also was one of the few suburban legislators who supported New York City’s congestion pricing plan.

In response to increased demand for public transportation service, Assm. Sweeney supports the LIRR Third Track plan, writing that it will provide greater flexibility and allow for greater increases in ridership. In addition, he also believes that mass transit must be made affordable, reliable, and safe and be pursued in tandem with smart growth efforts to encourage broader public transportation use. Smart growth would also help mitigate transportation and environmental problems on Long Island, the assemblymember wrote. In order to fund transportation, Assm. Sweeney said he would support dedicated taxes and a congestion pricing plan.

Assm. Sweeney, in addition to supporting the LIRR Third Track project, supports the LIRR East Side Access project to Grand Central Terminal. He did not take a position on whether adding travel lanes to the Route 347 corridor in the Towns of Smithtown, Islip and Brookhaven was a worthy project. Assm. Sweeney also did not indicate support or opposition to the Long Island Intermodal Plan at Pilgrim State, but wrote that “Governor Paterson has proposed a comprehensive look at transportation and other issues in this area, which I support.”

From left: Fitzpatrick, Huggins (image via Newsday).

Allen E. Huggins, according to the Suffolk County Democratic Party, is challenging Republican Assm. Mike Fitzpatrick (also running on the Conservative and Independence tickets) in New York’s 7th Assembly District which encompasses the Town of Smithtown and parts of the Towns of Brookhaven and Islip on the north shore of Long Island. TSTC received no response from the challenger, Mr. Huggins, but Assm. Fitzpatrick provided TSTC with responses to the questionnaire via a phone interview and highlighted his stances on particular transportation issues.

In general, Assm. Fitzpatrick is a strong proponent of curtailing government spending. He believes that more government efficiency in other areas of the budget will increase available transportation funding and that bonding is another approach that should be used to raise transportation funds. He is open minded to privatization of Long Island’s transportation systems, believes there is a need to rein in transportation authorities, and is an advocate of consolidating agencies.

Assm. Fitzpatrick conceded that the current suburban lifestyle is not conducive to public transit, and indicated that it is difficult to build more roads because of a dearth of funding. However, he also believes there should be more limited access highways criss-crossing the region. In contrast to these positions, Assm. Fitzpatrick also supports smart growth efforts that would create more walkable and bikable communities and denser developments.

Assm. Fitzpatrick supports the LIRR East Side Access project, the LIRR Third Track project, the Long Island Intermodal at Pilgrim State project, and the widening of Route 347.

From left: Fields, Bugler.

Republican John W. Bugler is challenging Democratic Assemblymember Ginny Fields (who is also running on the Independence Party ticket) in New York’s 5th Assembly District that encompasses the eastern part of the Town of Islip and the southwest corner of the Town of Brookhaven on the south coast of Long Island. TSTC received no response from the incumbent, Assm. Fields, but Mr. Bugler provided TSTC with a completed questionnaire highlighting his stances on particular transportation issues:

John W. Bugler

A former engineer at NYSDOT, Mr. Bugler recommends the use of CompStat (a management philosophy, primarily used by police departments, which emphasizes statistical and geographic analysis and frequent meetings between unit commanders and agency leadership) to identify accident information that would assist in analyzing traffic safety and road design.

In order to increase public transportation capacity and access on Long Island, Mr. Bugler proposes to issue green flashing lights to all bus passengers that would allow them to be picked up anywhere along a “safe travelway.” He argues that many riders are reluctant to seek out designated bus stops.

Mr. Bugler said that using satellites and cell phones to track when and where vehicles enter limited access highways, in addition to staggering work hours, could reduce congestion on Long Island’s roadways. He proposed a bond issue in response to a question about how to sustainably fund LI’s transportation needs, and said that bringing back trolley cars could mitigate transportation problems caused by poor land use decisions.

Mr. Bugler also indicated his support for the LIRR East Side Access project, the LIRR Third Track project, the widening of Route 347 and the Long Island Intermodal project at Pilgrim State, indicating that the latter project will do the most to benefit Long Island.

Assm. Ginny Fields

As a Suffolk County Legislator, Assm. Fields worked to adopt a master plan for smart growth, work she has continued to promote at the New York State Assembly. She has also sponsored legislation that would make increasing MTA fares subject to the State Comptroller. However, Assm. Fields was an opponent of congestion pricing, a policy that if implemented, would have ultimately reduced the need for fare increases.