Editorial
Late Friday night Congressman Lee Zeldin (CD 1), by proxy, voted “NAY” on one of the most significant pieces of legislation he has been asked to vote on. He rejected the $1.2 trillion infrastructure legislation that will bring billions of dollars desperately needed for infrastructure improvements and jobs to New York.
Congressman Lee Zeldin CD 1 Zeldin was the only congressional person, Republican or Democrat, from Long Island who opposed the legislation. The legislation received bipartisan support in the house and was previously approved in the senate with bipartisan support including an “Aye” vote from Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R).
Marc Herbst, Executive Director, Long Island Contractors’ Association issued the following statement on the passage of the infrastructure legislation.: “Congress took the extraordinary step of delivering for the American people. Infrastructure is the best possible investment we could make to continue to bring our economy back and to make long-term, critical improvements to our roads, highways, bridges and water systems. As this bi-partisan bill continues to make its way to President Biden’s desk, we applaud Senator Schumer for his leadership and the New York delegation members who supported this bill to deliver for Long Island and the entire state.”
Congressman Tom Suozzi (CD 3) posted a breakdown of specific funding New York will receive from the once in a generation bipartisan infrastructure package:
Highway Funding: $12.5 billion specifically for New York
- $11.5 billion for surface transportation (roads, highways, etc.)
- $1.9 billion from a new vehicular bridge repair formula program
- $142 million for EV charging infrastructure
Airport Funding: nearly $1 billion for New York
- JFK $294,682,575
- LGA $ 150,008,970
- Long Island MacArthur $21,595,630
- Republic $ 3,735,000
- East Hampton $1,480,000
- Brookhaven $1,480,000
New York Rail
- $16 Billion for Amtrak National capital backlog needs - $688 million: will save NYS its contribution to replacing the Amtrak railcars that operate upstate
- $6 Billion for Amtrak - Northeast Corridor (NEC) – capitol backlog of the NEC including the Gateway project
- $24 billion for Norther East Corridor Modernization – competitive grants that Gateway, Metro-North Penn Access, and East River tunnels are eligible for.
- $12 billion for Intercity passenger rail including upgrades for high speed rail.
New York Water
- At least 90 billion for water infrastructure including
- $14.7 billion for the EPA’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund which provides capitalization grants to states for loans supporting water infrastructure projects.
- $14.7 billion for the EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Funds which provides loans to states for water quality improvement projects.
- $55.4 billion in supplemental emergency appropriations for both the EPA state for capitalization grants through the Clean Water State Revolving Funds and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds
Public Transportation
- $9.8 billion for Clean Buses and Mass Transit
Broadband
- A minimum of $100 million over five years
Lee Zeldin has failed the people of CD 1, Suffolk County and New York.
Pat Biancaniello