MTA Bailout Ignores Upstate Transportation Needs

ALBANY, NY (05/06/2009)(readMedia)-- The financial rescue package for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) negotiated by the "three New York City men in a room" is a slap-in-the-face to Upstate motorists that are already contributing over $400 million a year to subsidize mass transit in New York City. Less than two months ago, Senator Malcolm Smith and his colleagues in the Senate Majority "insisted that the MTA capital financing mechanism be paired with adequate financing for Upstate and Long Island highway and bridge projects." Today, the 32 members of that conference broke that promise.

We are extremely disappointed that the Legislature chose to ignore the tremendous capital needs of our aging infrastructure, especially the Upstate Democrats whose constituents depend on roads and bridges everyday.

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The Associated General Contractors of New York State, LLC (AGC NYS) is the largest statewide trade association representing the construction industry, with over 650 contractor and related firms.

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