Local police and industry groups are complaining that Long Island is getting just 7.8% of its next annual transportation budget, or one-third of its normal amount.
The shocking drop in the island's transportation costs, which typically account for about 23% of New York City's annual transportation budget, came just days before Gov. Kathy Hochul was scheduled to deliver her State of the Union address.
“Suffolk [County, LI] Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine told the paper. “Transportation aid is running low on Long Island.”
Romaine said the state's transportation assistance has previously been based on three metrics: lane mileage, licensed drivers and number of registered vehicles. He said Suffolk County leads the state in all three categories, adding that he doesn't know what has changed because Long Island has lost its typical transportation options.
Under the new budget, in addition to Long Island's share, Buffalo/Western New York will receive 40.1% of the funding, New York City 13.6% and the Hudson Valley 9.6%. The remaining northern region of the state will receive 28.9%.
A letter was sent to Long Island police asking them to take action on the state's plan.
“We have some of the fastest-deteriorating road conditions in the state,” Mark Herbst, executive director of the Long Island Builders Association, said in a memo. “Long Island has experienced significant decline over the past six years.”
The letter supports an alternative proposal called the 2025 People's Budget Framework, led by local state lawmaker Michael Solange. The plan proposes an $800 million increase to the Department of Transportation's Transportation Capital Program, reinstatement of the Suburban Highway Improvement Funding Program for Long Island and the Hudson Valley region, and the creation of a Long Island Urban Planning Organization.
“If we want Long Island to be an economic powerhouse, and we can be, we need to invest in infrastructure, roads, sewers, drainage, things of that nature,” said Chuck. said Romaine, who expressed support for Sen. Schumer (Democratic). – New York) in his remarks.
“Investing in infrastructure increases the productivity of the companies that invest in it,” he said.
