This past year, Albany was both green and oily on transportation issues, according to the recently released 2011 Voters’ Guide done by EPL/Environmental Advocates, the only scorecard that grades New York State lawmakers according to their votes on bills that could help or harm our air, land, and water.

Senator Charles Fuschillo (R-Massapequa) received an honorable mention for his leadership on safer streets, by sponsoring and helping to pass the Complete Streets legislation (S5411-A/A8366). The bill was ranked as a “Super Bill” by Environmental Advocates, and, as Senator Fuschillo recently stated at a Vision Long Island event, had an astounding variety of groups in support. Senator Fuschillo will be honored by Tri-State at our upcoming benefit for his efforts on this key piece of legislation and his leadership in keeping Long Island Bus solvent through the rest of 2011.

On the other end of the spectrum, freshman Long Island Senator Zeldin (R-Ronkonkoma) was voted New York environment’s “enemy #1” and received the “Oil Slick” award for attacking public transportation. His sponsorship of a bill to repeal the MTA payroll tax (S.5596-A/A.8193-A) was “rated the dirtiest piece of legislation introduced in 2011, because it would worsen air quality and increase climate-altering pollution and traffic congestion.”

In backwards logic, Zeldin argued, after receiving the dubious honor, that defunding public transportation would actually be good for the environment:

“Repealing the MTA payroll tax is essential to strengthening our economy and creating jobs so that we can generate the revenues we need to support New York’s environmental protection programs.”

Pushing for a repeal of the MTA payroll tax will undoubtedly be front and center in 2012, an election year. What Albany needs now are leaders that understand the value of supporting public transit, both for the environment and the economy.

Photos: Via NY State Senate.