Testimony of Richard T. Anderson, President New York Building Congress before New York City Council Committee on Transportation
Published on Oct 17, 2005 by
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the 2005 Rebuild and Renew Transportation Bond Act of 2005.
The Building Congress is New York’s largest and most diverse coalition of design, construction, and real estate organizations, involving more than 250,000 skilled professionals and tradespeople. Part of our mission is to evaluate major government initiatives and promote productive capital investment.
Over the past decade New York City has benefited from the restoration of its transit system to a state of good repair. Billions of dollars in capital improvements have resulted in a system that is reliable and efficient. The investments in transportation have contributed to New York City’s improved quality of life and economic growth.
Capital investments like those made in the recent past are not “one-shot” deals. The system requires on-going funds to maintain the state of good repair and expand services into new neighborhoods. Without continuous funding, the system will decline and with it, the economic health of the City.
That is why the New York Building Congress has joined with the coalition of business, transportation, environmental, and civic groups in supporting the 2005 transportation bond act, also known as Proposition 2. It will inject $1.45 billion into the MTA capital program alone over the next five years, including $450 million for the core maintenance program, $450 million for East Side Access and $450 million for the Second Avenue subway.
But there is more at stake. Passage of the bond act will allow New York to qualify for up to $4 billion in transportation funding from Washington. If the bond act fails, we could lose those Federal matching funds to other states. In an era when New York City receives less from the Federal government than it gives, it is important that we seize this opportunity to qualify for the billions of dollars Washington has set aside for New York.
Underscoring the importance of this ballot proposal, leaders in the legislature as well as the Governor have announced their support for it, as have the Mayoral candidates. For this to pass on Election Day, we need to educate the voters on the importance of the bond act to New York’s prosperity and quality of life. With high voter turnout expected at the polls in New York City, we are in a position to win. I encourage the City Council Transportation Committee to join the Building Congress and other organizations in taking a leading role on this important measure and educating the electorate to “Vote Yes” on Election Day.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the 2005 Rebuild and Renew Transportation Bond Act of 2005.
The Building Congress is New York’s largest and most diverse coalition of design, construction, and real estate organizations, involving more than 250,000 skilled professionals and tradespeople. Part of our mission is to evaluate major government initiatives and promote productive capital investment.
Over the past decade New York City has benefited from the restoration of its transit system to a state of good repair. Billions of dollars in capital improvements have resulted in a system that is reliable and efficient. The investments in transportation have contributed to New York City’s improved quality of life and economic growth.
Capital investments like those made in the recent past are not “one-shot” deals. The system requires on-going funds to maintain the state of good repair and expand services into new neighborhoods. Without continuous funding, the system will decline and with it, the economic health of the City.
That is why the New York Building Congress has joined with the coalition of business, transportation, environmental, and civic groups in supporting the 2005 transportation bond act, also known as Proposition 2. It will inject $1.45 billion into the MTA capital program alone over the next five years, including $450 million for the core maintenance program, $450 million for East Side Access and $450 million for the Second Avenue subway.
But there is more at stake. Passage of the bond act will allow New York to qualify for up to $4 billion in transportation funding from Washington. If the bond act fails, we could lose those Federal matching funds to other states. In an era when New York City receives less from the Federal government than it gives, it is important that we seize this opportunity to qualify for the billions of dollars Washington has set aside for New York.
Underscoring the importance of this ballot proposal, leaders in the legislature as well as the Governor have announced their support for it, as have the Mayoral candidates. For this to pass on Election Day, we need to educate the voters on the importance of the bond act to New York’s prosperity and quality of life. With high voter turnout expected at the polls in New York City, we are in a position to win. I encourage the City Council Transportation Committee to join the Building Congress and other organizations in taking a leading role on this important measure and educating the electorate to “Vote Yes” on Election Day.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the 2005 Rebuild and Renew Transportation Bond Act of 2005.
The Building Congress is New York’s largest and most diverse coalition of design, construction, and real estate organizations, involving more than 250,000 skilled professionals and tradespeople. Part of our mission is to evaluate major government initiatives and promote productive capital investment.
Over the past decade New York City has benefited from the restoration of its transit system to a state of good repair. Billions of dollars in capital improvements have resulted in a system that is reliable and efficient. The investments in transportation have contributed to New York City’s improved quality of life and economic growth.
Capital investments like those made in the recent past are not “one-shot” deals. The system requires on-going funds to maintain the state of good repair and expand services into new neighborhoods. Without continuous funding, the system will decline and with it, the economic health of the City.
That is why the New York Building Congress has joined with the coalition of business, transportation, environmental, and civic groups in supporting the 2005 transportation bond act, also known as Proposition 2. It will inject $1.45 billion into the MTA capital program alone over the next five years, including $450 million for the core maintenance program, $450 million for East Side Access and $450 million for the Second Avenue subway.
But there is more at stake. Passage of the bond act will allow New York to qualify for up to $4 billion in transportation funding from Washington. If the bond act fails, we could lose those Federal matching funds to other states. In an era when New York City receives less from the Federal government than it gives, it is important that we seize this opportunity to qualify for the billions of dollars Washington has set aside for New York.
Underscoring the importance of this ballot proposal, leaders in the legislature as well as the Governor have announced their support for it, as have the Mayoral candidates. For this to pass on Election Day, we need to educate the voters on the importance of the bond act to New York’s prosperity and quality of life. With high voter turnout expected at the polls in New York City, we are in a position to win. I encourage the City Council Transportation Committee to join the Building Congress and other organizations in taking a leading role on this important measure and educating the electorate to “Vote Yes” on Election Day.