Council Votes to Establish Permanent Outdoor Dining Program in New York City, Building on Previous Sidewalk Café Law and Emergency Pandemic-Era Program

 

Council also votes on legislation to protect New Yorkers against lead exposure, create Office of the Homeowner Advocate, support striking actors and writers’ fight for fair contracts, reduce barriers to building environmentally friendly homes, develop a map of bicycle infrastructure, and call for state law to eliminate legacy admissions preferences at colleges in New York

The New York City Council voted to establish a newly revised permanent outdoor dining program under local law that incorporates lessons from the emergency pandemic outdoor restaurants program. It helps make the permanent program accessible and inclusive to more restaurants, similar to the temporary emergency program, while addressing concerns with more orderly and uniform regulation. The program allows for year-round outdoor dining options: 12 months of sidewalk dining, similar to the pre-pandemic program, and for the first time will allow permanent roadway dining for the warmer 8 months of the year, from April through November. The legislation eases the application process and lowers the cost of participation for restaurants, compared to the pre-pandemic program. As legal authorization of the emergency open restaurants program was determined to be expired, the Council’s approval of the permanent program assures restaurants will be able to continue with outdoor dining uninterrupted.

In addition, the Council voted on legislation that  protects New Yorkers against lead contamination, creates the Office of the Homeowner Advocate, supports the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) in calling for fair contracts, reduces barriers to building environmentally friendly homes, develops a map of bicycle infrastructure conditions, and calls for passage and enactment of State Law to prohibit legacy admissions preferences at colleges.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor dining became a lifeline for small businesses and New Yorkers seeking socialization and normalcy,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “As we move from an emergency program to one under local law, this legislation strikes the right balance for restaurants, neighborhoods, and all New Yorkers. It allows a greater number of restaurants to continue participating, while easing the bureaucratic barriers, making the licensing costs affordable, and providing orderly and uniform regulations that were missing from the temporary program. This permanent program will serve and support our neighborhoods, restaurants, residents and city for years to come.”

Establishing a Permanent Outdoor Dining Program in New York City

Introduction 31-C, sponsored by Council Member Marjorie Velázquez, will establish a permanent outdoor dining program that incorporates benefits and lessons from the emergency pandemic-era outdoor dining program. The legislation will make it less bureaucratically prohibitive and more affordable for restaurants to participate in outdoor dining than the previous sidewalk café licensing scheme that existed before the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also create more orderly and uniform regulation of outdoor dining that provides reliable consistency for restaurants and neighborhoods alike.

Introduction 31-C will:

• Allow sidewalk cafés to operate year-round, and for the first time permanently allow roadway cafés to operate most of the year, specifically the warmer 8 months of April through November.
• Make the costs for restaurants to participate in the outdoor dining program more affordable and lower, compared to the pre-pandemic outdoor dining licensing and revocable consent process.
• Reduce the required processes and timelines for restaurants to receive approval from city agencies and entities.
• In conjunction with zoning changes approved by the Council in 2022, permit more neighborhoods and restaurants within them to be eligible for participation in outdoor dining than the previous pre-pandemic sidewalk café program.
• Allow restaurants to continue their outdoor dining operations, even after this local law takes effect, as long as they apply for a license and submit a petition for a revocable consent on or before the date set forth by the Department of Transportation (DOT), which cannot be less than three months after the rules go into effect.
• Establish DOT as the agency to administer licensing of both sidewalk and roadway cafes and enforce rules pertaining to their operation, in continued coordination with other city agencies.
• Sheds, or any structure that does not comply with rules set by DOT, must be taken down no later than 30 days after the determination by DOT to grant or deny a revocable consent to operate a sidewalk or roadway cafe, or by November 1, 2024, whichever comes first.  

“Outdoor dining helped buoy New York City’s economy during the COVID lockdowns, and has been embraced as a creative solution to address the post-pandemic economic crisis. We have spent the past year negotiating and modifying the bill to be as inclusive and equitable as possible, meeting the needs of the different types of restaurants and eateries across our city. This was not a one-size-fits-all bill, and that’s the beauty of it. I am proud to have advocated for our small businesses throughout this process and look forward to seeing them thrive,” said Council Member Marjorie Velázquez. “I would like to thank Mayor Adams and Speaker Adams for their support throughout this process; City Council’s Legislative Division for their dedication in drafting a bill that will meet the needs of all parties, delivering to New Yorkers by presenting legislation that makes outdoor dining a reality for all. Special thanks to Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and his team for taking on this incredible project; my colleagues at the New York City Council for their sponsorship of this bill, and the countless advocates for being a part of this moment in history.”

Governor Hochul Announces Increased Weekday Subway Service

 

Second Phase of Subway Service Enhancements Included in State Budget Begin Monday, Increasing Frequency of Weekday C Service

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced upcoming MTA subway service enhancements beginning Monday, August 7. The second phase of previously announced weekday service increases on the C line will increase frequency with midday trains arriving every eight minutes instead of every 10 minutes. About 800,000 riders are expected to benefit each weekday from the off-peak service enhancements made possible through increased funding in the FY 2024 New York State Budget.

“With more frequent subway service, New Yorkers can feel confident that there is no better way than the MTA to get where they need to go, even beyond traditional commuting hours,” Governor Hochul said. “Thanks to funding from the FY 2024 Budget, we are able to respond to riders’ needs and keep the city moving - above and below ground.”

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “HUGE thanks to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for heeding the call for increase subway service to meet the needs of post-pandemic riders. Not everyone is a rush hour commuter, and more frequent subway service throughout the day – and night – will better connect New Yorkers to Broadway, to education, to all kinds of recreation, and to everything the City has to offer. With this funding from the State Budget, the MTA can get nearly a million riders to where they need to go faster.”

The planned subway service enhancements focus on off-peak periods where subway ridership has recovered the highest from its pre-pandemic baseline. Subway ridership overall continues to recover, with weekday paid ridership around 65% to 70% of the pre-COVID baseline. The latest trend shows 3.5 million riders on an average July weekday.

New York City Transit explored where additional off-peak service would have the most benefit, focusing primarily on lines with train frequencies of 10 to 12 minutes during off-peak hours. Planned work was taken into consideration when these enhancements were planned to ensure critical state of good repair work and capital work would not be affected.

The first phase of weekend service increases on the G, J, and M lines, increasing frequency on the three lines with trains arriving every 8 to 10 minutes instead of every 10 to 12 minutes, began on Sunday, July 2.

Six Genovese Organized Crime Family Defendants Sentenced For Racketeering

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Genovese Family Captains NICHOLAS CALISI and RALPH BALSAMO, Genovese Family Soldiers MICHAEL MESSINA and JOHN CAMPANELLA, and Genovese Family Associates MICHAEL POLI and THOMAS POLI were sentenced by U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl following their earlier guilty pleas to racketeering conspiracy. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “La Cosa Nostra and its various Families are criminal organizations that prey on the public.  These sentences demonstrate that those who seek to enrich themselves through allegiance to such organizations will face not only jail time but also real financial consequences.”

According to the Superseding Indictment, the defendants’ statements when pleading guilty, and statements made in related court filings and proceedings:

The Genovese Organized Crime Family is part of a nationwide criminal organization known by various names, including La Cosa Nostra (“LCN”) and the “Mafia,” which operates through entities known as “Families.”

Like other LCN Families, the Genovese Organized Crime Family operates through groups of individuals known as “crews.”  Each “crew” has as its leader a person known as a “Captain” and consists of “made” members, known as “Soldiers.”  Soldiers are aided in their criminal endeavors by other trusted individuals, known as “associates,” who sometimes are referred to as “connected” or identified as “with” a Soldier or other member of the Family.  Associates participate in the various activities of the crew and its members.  In order for an associate to become a made member of the Family, the associate typically needs to demonstrate the ability to generate income for the Family and/or that the associate is capable of committing acts of violence.

A Captain is responsible for supervising the criminal activities of his crew, resolving disputes between and among members of the Family, resolving disputes between members of the Family and members of other Families and other criminal organizations, and providing Soldiers and associates with support and protection.  In return, the Captain typically receives a share of the illegal earnings of each of his crew’s Soldiers and associates.

At times relevant to the charges in the Superseding Indictment, NICHOLAS CALISI and RALPH BALSAMO were Captains in the Genovese Family, MICHAEL MESSINA and JOHN CAMPANELLA were Soldiers in the Genovese Family, and MICHAEL POLI and THOMAS POLI were associates of the Genovese Family.

Members of the Genovese Family, including CALISI, BALSAMO, MESSINA, and CAMPANELLA, and associates MICHAEL POLI and THOMAS POLI, engaged in extortionate extensions of credit, financing extortionate extensions of credit, collecting extensions of credit by extortion, extortion, operating illegal gambling businesses, and the transmission of gambling information.

CALISI, 64, of Boca Raton, Florida, was sentenced principally to two years in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to forfeit $40,000.

BALSAMO, 52, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced principally to 34 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to forfeit $20,000. 

MESSINA, 70, of New Fairfield, Connecticut, was sentenced principally to 18 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to forfeit $200,000.

CAMPANELLA, 48, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced principally to 13 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to forfeit $40,000.

MICHAEL POLI, 38, of Hawthorne, New York, was sentenced principally to 31 months in prison, three years of supervised release, ordered to forfeit $175,000, and ordered to pay a $15,000 fine.

THOMAS POLI, 65, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced principally to 22 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to forfeit $200,000.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Office of the New York Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force and the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its assistance in this investigation.

Assemblymember John Zaccaro -

 

Dear Friends, 

While there are still several more weeks of summer the new school year is fast approaching.  Please join our Community Office next Friday, August 11th from 3:00pm to 5:00pm for a Back to School Bash at Loreto Playground! 

Together with my colleagues in government and in partnership with many community organizations we will giveaway free bookbags, school supplies and much more. We hope to see you there! 

If you have any questions please contact our Community Office at 718-409-0109.

AOC Organizing Team - Join us at Starbucks on Monday!

 

Do you have plans on Monday? Join Team AOC for the first Starbucks Workers United National Day of Action!

Adopt-a-Non-Union-Starbucks w/ Team AOC!
Monday, August 7
2 - 4PM
Parkchester, The Bronx

Starbucks Workers United is organizing this national day of action for workers and allies to ‘adopt’ a non-union Starbucks store, including all 280 Starbucks locations in NYC. August 7th is the first of a series of national days of action to demand that Starbucks lives up to the progressive values it claims to stand for — like respecting workers’ fundamental right to organize, and bargaining a fair contract with their workers.

SBWU has also organized a workers bus tour to Seattle, and the bus will arrive at the Starbucks flagship store on the same day as the action. Since December 2021, more than 8,500 Starbucks workers have unionized 340+ stores.

Team AOC will be outside the Parkchester Starbucks in The Bronx, handing out flyers to engage customers and support non-union Starbucks workers of the Parckhester community

Join us Monday →

We hope to see you there!

In solidarity,

Team AOC

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - This Week in District 13

 

Dear Neighbor,

This week has been full of excitement, community, and of course, summer fun. My office recently hosted an event with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to learn best practices to help remove spotted lanternflies. It was great seeing everyone come together to help rid of these pests just before National Night Out. Thank you to all who attended.

It has been a busy time for us at City Hall, working alongside the New York City Council Members to pass my bill, Int 31-C, also known as the Outdoor Dining bill. It has been a long road to get to this moment, but I am thankful for the support I received from my colleagues, local restaurants, and of course, the community. For more information about this bill, please scroll to the ‘Legislative Corner."‘

In this week’s email, you will find information about my office’s upcoming HPD In Your District event, City Parks Foundation’s Summer Youth Program and New York City Parks’ Flag Football, MTA fare and toll rates, job opportunities, and more. I’m also excited to share that the Empire State Development has extended its Covid-19 Capital Costs Tax Credit Program for businesses. To learn more about this initiative or to apply, scroll to ‘Commerce Corner.’  

To contact our office for additional information or concerns, please call us at  (718) 931-1721 or email us at District13@council.nyc.gov.

Wishing you all a safe and wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez

Outdoor Dining is Here to Stay!

Orders up! For over a year, I have hard worked alongside my colleagues, restaurant labor advocates, and business owners to make outdoor dining permanent in our city. I am so proud of the steps we’ve taken to create an inclusive and equitable bill, meeting the needs of the different restaurants and eateries across our city. As the Chair of the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection and a ‘foodie,’ I am proud to have advocated for our local businesses and look forward to seeing them thrive. Thank you to all who have played a role in this process - today, we made history! 

Customer Assistance Day & Mobile Office Hours

On Friday, August 18, from 10 AM to 2 PM, join me and Assembly Member John Zaccaro Jr., for our Customer Assistance Day with Con Edison at the Morris Park Library (985 Morris Park Avenue). This special Mobile Office Hours is for customers to meet with representatives from Con Edison to address any questions or concerns. Appointments are encouraged; walk-ins are welcome.

Register

HPD is Coming to District 13!

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) will be in our community to assist residents with housing-related issues. HPD helps with the following topics, including but not limited to:

• Prepare to apply for affordable housing

• Understand your rights and responsibilities

• File a housing complaint

• Finance improvements and repairs

• Register your building

• Remedy a violation

Where to find us:

Saturday, August 19

• 10 AM to 5 PM - White Plains Road and Pelham Parkway South

• 11 AM to 3 PM - 3040 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461

Tuesday, September 5

• 10 AM to 5 PM - White Plains Road and Pelham Parkway South

• 10 AM to 5 PM - 3040 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461

Construction Advisory

Shore Road

The New York State Department of Transportation has announced a 24-hour lane closure, impacting the center westbound lane between Shore Road and Hutchinson River Parkway. This closure is necessary for reconstruction work and will take place until Friday, August 25.

August 7 - 11

• One lane will be closed eastbound between Hutchinson River Parkway and Shore Road from 10 Am to 3 PM for storm drainage installation

• One lane will be closed westbound between Shore Road and Hutchinson River Parkway from 10 Am to 3 PM. This closure is necessary to install traffic signals

August 7 - 13

• There will be a 24-hour, partial ramp closure, westbound ramp to southbound Bruckner Expressway (I-95). This closure is necessary for reconstruction work.

Whitestone Bridge

Please be advised there will be overnight construction at the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge requiring Queens-bound lane closures this weekend. There will be a single-southbound lane closure from Friday, August 4th at 11 PM through Sunday, August 6th, at 9 AM. In addition, a second lane will be closed from Friday, August 4th at 11 PM through Saturday, August 5th at 6 AM, and Saturday, August 5th from 11 PM through Sunday, August 6th at 7 AM.

No Parking

The NYC Department of Design and Construction has announced a ‘No Parking’ advisory for Pelham Parkway North Service Road between Eastchester Road and Bronx Park East, though Thursday, August 31, from 7 AM to 4 PM. This restriction is necessary to facilitate ‘end of construction’ work and is a moving operation.

Lane Closures

The NYC Department of Design and Construction has announced a ‘Lane Closure’ advisory on Pelham Parkway Westbound Main Road and Eastbound Main Road between Boston Road and Stillwell Avenue through Thursday, August 31, from 7 AM to 4 PM. This restriction is necessary to facilitate roadway reconstruction and is a moving operation.

Virtual Rat Academy Webinar

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Pest Control Services team has announced its Virtual Rat Academy, sponsored by the Neighborhood Rat Reduction Initiative. This event will be on Tuesday, August 15, from 3 PM to 5 PM. This event is free and open to the public.

Register

LEGISLATIVE CORNER

August 3 Stated Meeting

During this week’s New York City Council Stated Meeting, the Council voted in favor of several pieces of legislation, focused on the quality of life, higher education, and outdoor dining. Below is information about the bills passed, which I am a sponsor.

Prime Sponsor

• Int 31-C - A Local Law to amend the New York city charter and the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to granting licenses and revocable consents for sidewalk cafes and roadway cafes, to repeal subchapter 6 of chapter 2 of title 20 of such administrative code, relating to granting licenses and revocable consents for sidewalk cafes, to amend section 2 of local law number 114 for the year 2020, relating to the establishment of a permanent outdoor dining program, in relation to the commencement of such program, and to amend section 1 of local law number 77 for the year 2020, relating to establishing a temporary outdoor dining program, in relation to the expiration of such program.

Co-Sponsor

• Res 237 - A - Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the governor to sign, the Fair College Admissions Act (A.1423-A/S.1470-A), which would prohibit legacy admissions preferences at undergraduate institutions in New York State

• Int 5-A - A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to records of lead-based paint investigations

• Int 6-A - A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the remediation of lead-based paint in dwelling units in multiple dwellings

• Int 384-A - A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to the creation of an office of the homeowner advocate within the department of housing preservation and development

• Int 689-A - A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to elimination of permit and or filing fees for green building projects undertaken on one to three family homes

• Int 750-A - A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the proactive identification and inspection of multiple swellings where children are at risk of lead poisoning

#SkipTheStuff - Official Notice

On July 31, 2023, New York City Local Law 17-2023 went into effect.

• Food service establishments providing take-out or delivery will only provide utensils, condiment packets, napkins, or extra plates for take-out or delivery, when requested by the customer

• Online ordering and delivery apps default will be not providing utensils, condiments, napkins, and plates.

• Delivery and courier services may not provide these items unless such items are requested by the customer

*These restrictions do not apply to self-serve stations inside a food service establishment*

NYC Restaurant Week

NYC Restaurant Week reservations are now open! Starting Monday, July 24 through Sunday, August 20, enjoy feasting at select restaurants across the five boroughs with special prix-fixe menus. Grab your friends and family, and enjoy an incredible meal from one of many local eateries. To find participating restaurants, explore menus, and book your table, click the link below.

Learn More

New York State’s Use of Federal Roadway Funds Overlooks Key Climate and Transportation Safety Goals, NYC Comptroller’s Report Reveals

 

Report also praises City for directing funds toward safer, more sustainable transportation projects

The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the bipartisan infrastructure law passed by Congress, is bringing a large infusion of federal funding into New York City, but a new report from the New York City Comptroller’s Office reveals that New York State’s funding decisions fail to prioritize transportation safety, state-of-good-repair, and climate priorities, instead favoring highway expansion projects.  

The State has broad discretion on how and where to spend its “formula funding,” which makes up the bread and butter of IIJA funds. While the City has dedicated its much smaller share of formula-funded roadway projects to address bicycle, pedestrian, safety, and sustainability goals, the State is spending roughly half of the roadway formula funds it is allocating for New York City on widening highways. The report highlights the need for New York State to follow other states (including California, Colorado, and Minnesota) in adopting performance standards for project selection to ensure that federal funding is used to reduce emissions, improve street safety and maintain a state of good repair.  

“The bipartisan infrastructure law is a monumental achievement, bringing desperately needed funds to invest in New York City’s transportation infrastructure, including historic investments in mass transit. Unfortunately, New York State’s lack of performance standards results in projects that expand highways, rather than repair our aging infrastructure, improve safety and accessibility, and reduce emissions. Albany needs to follow City Hall’s lead in channeling these precious federal funds toward safer and more sustainable modes of transportation, and with a stronger emphasis on local hiring,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. 

One bright spot of the report’s findings is that 58% of the State’s IIJA funds will go toward public transit, making New York the only state to receive more federal funds for transit than roadways. Almost half of the State’s transit funding will go toward the second phase of the Second Avenue Subway expansion and the Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project, two large and complex projects vital to the region’s transit network. 

Most of the remaining statewide IIJA funding is dedicated to highway formula-funded projects, which can be used for a wide range of projects including traditional highway-building, state-of-good-repair work, street safety improvements, and active transportation. The State is empowered to determine how formula funds are spent and how much to pass through to local municipalities. However, without performance standards and clear visibility into the decision-making process, a significant amount of federal funds are being directed toward projects that do not align with the City and State’s policy goals. 

The $1.3 billion project to widen the Van Wyck Expressway encapsulates this priority clash. When the expressway was built in 1950, Robert Moses refused to include space for a future transit option, to save less than $2 million. The current project entails adding and widening lanes of the highway to reduce car travel times to John F. Kennedy International Airport, which may bring temporary benefit for drivers but will have long-lasting health and climate impacts. This project, as well as other large highway construction projects overseen by NYSDOT within the five boroughs which are likely to increase greenhouse gas emissions, are incompatible with the City’s climate goals.  

The City of New York is receiving some money to spend on projects of its own selection, both through a suballocation of the State’s formula funds, and by applying for competitive grants under IIJA. New York City has aggressively applied for competitive grants to advance sustainability and transportation objectives and received awards for major projects like the New York City Greenway Expansion Plan, the Delancey Street Road Diet, and the Hunts Point Intermodal Facility.  

The City of New York has also moved aggressively to take advantage of new IIJA provisions that allow for targeted hiring to local residents. Mayor Adams issued Executive Order 22 establishing a new office to ensure that New York City residents are hired for the good jobs created by these infrastructure projects. The State has not yet publicly announced plans for targeted or local hiring on its IIJA projects.  

The report’s recommendations address these issues and aim to maximize the potential benefits of IIJA funding for New York City: 

• New York State should establish performance standards for transportation projects to align them with climate change, street safety, state-of-good-repair and equity goals. By setting clear and ambitious performance standards, New York can prioritize projects that contribute to sustainability, safety, and accessibility, ensuring federal funds are utilized effectively. 

• Increase transparency in the funding relationship between the State and City to better plan and budget for capital improvements. Clear guidance from NYSDOT on the exact amount of funding passed onto the City will enhance budgeting and planning efforts for capital projects. 
• Adopt overdue reforms to the City’s capital process through State legislation and City implementation to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure projects in New York City, improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness. By streamlining bureaucratic procedures and adopting the recommendations of the Capital Projects Reform Task Force, the City can expedite infrastructure projects and maximize the impact of federal funding. 
• Advance local and targeted hiring to leverage the IIJA’s authorization for local hire provisions and create good jobs for New Yorkers. Supporting employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged candidates and prioritizing local hiring can ensure that the benefits of infrastructure projects reach the communities that need them most. 
• New York City and State should improve tracking and spending of IIJA capital projects to enhance transparency and inform project delivery improvements. Establishing a centralized and comprehensive tool to track IIJA funding will not only increase transparency but also guide improvements in project delivery processes. 

“The comptroller’s report makes crystal clear how much New York has been able to achieve with federal infrastructure funding but also how far we have to go to spend it all consistent with our values,” said Danny Pearlstein, Policy & Communications Director at Riders Alliance. “Riders will continue to hold our leaders accountable for making the most of available resources to deliver fast, frequent, reliable and accessible public transit service for millions of New Yorkers, commuters and visitors.” 

“The IIJA has brought about unprecedented investments in transit and infrastructure projects like the Gateway Program, electric buses, new subway rolling stock, and state-of-good-repair work,” said Vanessa Barrios, Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative at Regional Plan Association. “RPA’s research has found that approximately $9.5 billion of the $16 billion received by the states of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have gone towards road and bridge infrastructure. This contradicts the climate goals set by the states and makes it less likely we will reach a more sustainable future. Allocating funding currently slated for highway widenings and expansions to improving transit access and pay dividends for generations to come. Thank you to Comptroller Lander for shining a light on this incredibly important topic.”

“New York State residents want their communities to be inclusive and vibrant. Public transit, like trains and buses, and accessible walking and bike routes, give us a healthy, clean, and affordable way for everyone to get around, said Haley Richardson, Director of Communications at TransitCenter. “But for too long, NYSDOT has funneled enormous sums towards expanding roads while neglecting transit, biking and walking projects. With a record-amount of money currently flowing to New York State from the IIJA, it’s time for NYSDOT to change the ‘norm,’ and set new transportation goals that will give all of us more affordable and varied ways of getting around. At a critical moment for the climate, Comptroller Lander’s welcome new report outlines how New York State can do our part to lower transportation emissions, all while making our air cleaner and our streets safer.”  

“Reinvent Albany welcomes Comptroller Lander’s analysis and recommendations for increasing the transparency of the federal funding split between the State and City, and ensuring a historic boost in federal funds are best used to meet the state’s climate goals,” said Rachael Fauss, Senior Policy Advisor at Reinvent Albany. “If spent wisely, the enormous federal IIJA infrastructure grants can provide huge public benefits and New Yorkers deserve to know exactly how they are being used.” 

“The 2021 Infrastructure Bill provides the largest infusion of funds for improving and modernizing infrastructure in nearly 100 years,” said Felicia Park-Rogers, Director of Regional Infrastructure Projects at Tri-State Transportation Campaign. “As the Comptroller’s important new report points out, it is critical for city, state, and region to pivot how we spend these funds by moving away from destructive 20th Century planning methods and towards planning for a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable 21st Century. The recommendations in this report point the way, it is incumbent on decision makers to adopt them.”