Blankenbush: Gov. Committing More Than $8 Billion in State Funds for NYC Subways While Upstate New York Continues to Crumble

Statement from Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) on the governor’s recent MTA funding agreement

“The governor recently announced he is pledging more than $8 billion for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to spend on New York City subways and trains. According to reports, the state may need to borrow to keep this pledge, which would send the state over its borrowing cap. This is utterly irresponsible.

“Among the MTA pledge, the La Guardia Airport rebuild, and the estimated spending for the Tappan Zee Bridge, for which the governor still has provided no spending plan, more than $16 billion in taxpayer money is being invested in New York City alone. I have spoken out over and over again about how upstate infrastructure is being ignored, yet the governor wants to invest heavily in New York City while the rest of the state, which he is charged to govern, struggles to keep bridges open, safely pave and maintain roads, and improve critical water management infrastructure.

“This announcement clearly shows that the governor does not prioritize our needs.”