Agency Mission
The Department of Transportation directly maintains the State's more than
40,000 highway lane miles and 7,500 bridges. In addition, the Department
partially funds locally-operated transit systems, local government highway and
bridge construction, rail and airport programs.
Year-to-Year Change
The Executive recommends a total All Funds State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2001-02
appropriation of $5,663,145,000, a decrease of $4,221,648,075 from the current
year. This represents a decrease of 42.71 percent and is mostly a result of
the failed Transportation Bond Act of 2000, that would have generated $3.8
billion for transportation and mass transit.
In SFY 2001-02, the Executive recommends a State Operations appropriation
of $50,237,000, a decrease of $174,509,000 or 77.6 percent. The decrease is
a result of the Executive's proposal to shift $169,023,000 of the Snow and Ice
Program in the Operations and Passenger and Freight Transportation Program
from the General Fund to the Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund in the
Capital Program to increase coverage for the Dedicated Highway and Bridge
Trust Fund bonds.
The Executive's proposal included a reduction of $34,909,000 for Consolidated
Local Highway Assistance Program (CHIPS) Operating and Maintenance to New York
City and counties.
The Governor proposes to increase total transit aid by $121,000,000, which
includes an additional $81,003,000 for the Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (MTA) and $39,385,500 for non-MTA operators. The Executive proposes
an increase of $61,354,000 to support debt service for MTA bonds from a
dedicated portion of the Petroleum Business Tax, which is included in the
Dedicated Mass Transportation Trust Fund appropriation. In addition, the
Executive created an Additional Mass Transportation Assistance Program funded
by General Fund appropriations, for the commuter railroads and all Non-MTA
transit systems. This program provides $37,000,000 for MTA's commuter
railroads, $35,251,000 for downstate non-MTA operators, and $19,049,000 for
upstate transit operators.
The Governor has submitted a new five-year plan for state and local highways,
roads and bridges, aviation and rail. The plan totals $15,503,609,000, of
which $8,591,000,000 is for the State Highway and Bridge Capital Program;
$3,1666,611,000 for engineering design, inspection and planning; $1,288,000,000
for local capital programs, including CHIPs and Marchiselli; $80,000,000 for
the Rail Freight and Passenger program; $125,000,000 for the Industrial Access
Program; $38,000,000 for the Aviation program; and $ 1,881,170,000 for other
programs.
Legislative Proposals
The Assembly proposes to invest in many different elements of New York
State's transportation network. This includes restorations to the State
Highway and Bridge Capital Program that reflect previous commitments, as well
as increased assistance for transit operators statewide.
Capital
The Assembly provides an additional $150,000,000 to the Governor's
$1,750,000,000 highway and bridge construction level for the Dedicated Highway
and Bridge Trust Fund. The increase to the letting level demonstrates the
Assembly's commitment to strengthen New York State's infrastructure, taking
the total highway and bridge construction level to $1.9 billion, which is
commensurate with the level of funding approved in SFY 2000-01 Budget. The
Assembly's increase in the letting level will require an increase in
Engineering Services of $45,000,000, in order to implement the Capital Program.
The Assembly restores $107,143,000 to the Multi-Modal Program. In addition,
the Assembly increases other capital programs funded by the Governor,
including the Canals Program providing an additional $30,500,000; Rail and
Ports Program an additional $26,400,000; Aviation Program funding increased by
an additional $25,000,000; and non-MTA Transit is increased by $93,300,000.
Aid To Localities
The Assembly restores $34,909,000 to the Operating and Maintenance
component of the Consolidated Local Highway Assistance Program (CHIPS),
restoring the SFY 2000-01 level of $58,797,000. Operating and Maintenance
funding provides greater flexibility and allows localities to address their
most immediate highway needs.
Transit
The Assembly provides transit operators with $10,000,000 in addition to
the Governor's proposal. The Assembly is funding transit operators not
increased by the Executive's proposed budget including Westchester,
Rochester, Staten Island, and Rockland County.
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