A weekly roundup of good deeds, missteps, heroic feats and epic failures in the tri-state region and beyond.
WINNERS
President Barack Obama — President Obama proposed a $10-per-barrel fee on oil to generate $320 billion over the next 10 years to invest in mass transit, high-speed rail, self-driving car research and other green transportation initiatives.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio — Mayor de Blasio announced plans to install 350 bus countdown clocks, bus-only lanes and traffic signal upgrades by 2017.
New York City Councilmember Carlos Menchaca — Councilmember Menchaca introduced a bill to allow people biking to cross intersections with pedestrian signals rather than traffic signals for motor vehicles.
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano — Mangano announced a $3 million plan to restore some NICE routes that were cut last month to help fill a $7.5 million budget deficit.
Upper Manhattan pedestrians — The West 215th Step-Street reopened last week after three years of construction, complete with improved lighting and drainage, new handrails, bike ramps and even motivational quotes.
LOSERS
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie — Governor Christie said that he wouldn’t increase the gas tax and that the Transportation Trust Fund wasn’t broke. Meanwhile, Garden State residents may be facing more trips on rough roads or higher property taxes to fix them, as municipalities have no idea how much state transportation aid they’ll receive for local budgets.
Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance — Vance dropped a Right of Way charge against a commercial truck driver who fatally struck an 86-year-old man in an Upper East Side crosswalk in 2014.
New York drivers — In the last week, several New York drivers engaged in some seriously dangerous driving, allowing their road rage to reach the point of threatening other drivers with firearms.
Congrats Councilman Menchaca!! Keep doing good!
Christie didn’t just lose out in NJ – he also struck out in New Hampshire!