News from STATE SENATOR

Liz Krueger

New York State Senate, 26^th District

COMMUNITY BULLETIN – November 2004

Message from Liz . . .

I am still in the process of figuring out what lessons to draw from the recent election results, but will use this months’ message to offer a few preliminary thoughts. Obviously, for Democrats like myself, the national results are distressing. They will make it harder to advance policies I support, and also will likely have negative consequences for New York State, given the lack of an urban agenda of the current administration.

In terms of the new political landscape in the wake of this election, I do think a couple of lessons are clear. One is about the possibilities and limits of voter mobilization. The good news from a small-d democratic perspective is that voter turnout was up significantly from the last 2 presidential elections, and that in terms of sheer numbers of voters, more people voted in this election than any since 1968. The bad news is that this increase in turnout did not close the gap in participation rates among different groups, particularly different age groups. While more young people voted this year, they continued to lag significantly behind other age groups in terms of political participation. The political parties still need to find ways to engage these voters and encourage a sense of civic involvement among this important part of our society, and our failure as political leaders to do so is a sign of the need for rethinking our strategies of mobilization.

Much of the mobilization that did occur in this election was of the negative variety. Democrats mobilized voters by pointing to the failure of the Bush administration to deal effectively with the economy or Iraq. Republicans mobilized voters – more successfully, according to exit polling data – by suggesting that Democrats would allow basic institutions of society to be undermined, either by being weak on terrorists, or weak on specific religious values – the definition of marriage and the definition of human life in relation to abortion and stem cell research. Once again our politics has been organized around a paradigm of “the lesser of two evils.” While for many on both sides of the divide this election presented a very clear choice, which helps account for the rise in turnout, the lack (or at least submersion) of a positive message also probably serves to define the limits of the ability of our system to mobilize voters who feel that neither party is truly addressing their concerns.

On the other hand, it is also clear that the Democrats were simply outgunned in the propaganda wars. Republicans did a better job of defining the “threat” posed by a Democratic victory, and did a better job at shaping the terms of the debate. Wearing my partisan hat, I have to say that we Democrats need to improve our strategic thinking, and more clearly define who we are as Democrats and why we deserve to rule. While I would hope we could accomplish this by developing a message based more on programs and possibilities and less on fear, the need for more coherent message development is clear.

And New York State remains a universe to itself – perhaps now more than ever. Locally Democrats did win the mobilization battle, with high turnout benefiting Kerry at the national level as well as local Democrats. In the New York State Senate, it appears that there will be three, and perhaps four more Democrats than in the last session, substantially reducing the Republican majority. One lesson of this is that New York State is out of step with the rest of the country, but perhaps another is that at least at the local level Democrats did a better job of explaining why electing them would bring about a more responsive government. I will be working with my new colleagues in the State Senate to bring about that kind of positive change at the local level.

Community Spotlight

Update on Construction at 406-410 East 79^th Street:

I am happy to report that cooperation between the construction company, building owner, and the community task force at 406-410 East 79^th Street has improved markedly.  There has been an increase in positive communication and the contractors have been more sensitive to addressing community concerns regarding issues such as safety and air and noise pollution.  I am hopeful that this new cooperation will continue, and understand that the crane at the site will no longer be needed after January 2005.

Rally Opposing Marine Transfer Station and East 91^st Street:

On Saturday, November 20^th at 11:00AM, I will be attending a community rally to oppose plans to reopen the Marine Transfer Station at East 91^st Street.  The rally is sponsored by the Gracie Point Community Council, and will take place at Asphalt Green, 555 East 90^th Street.  A marine transfer station is clearly inappropriate for a dense residential neighborhood, and also would have extremely negative impacts on nearby community facilities such as Asphalt Green.  I invite you to join me, other elected representatives, members of Community Board 8, and concerned area residents, at this important rally.

American Red Cross Seminar: Preparing for the Unexpected:

The American Red Cross will offer a seminar on disaster preparedness on Monday, November 29^th, from 2:00-3:30PM.  The seminar will take place at Empire Medicare Services, 800 Second Avenue (between 42^nd and 43^rd Avenues), 3^rd Floor.  Call Eric Hausman at (212) 476-2289 for reservations.

Learn About Adoption Opportunities:

The New York City Administration for Children’s Services is hosting “NYC Adopt,” an event to provide potential parents with information on adopting a child.  The event will take place on Saturday, November 20^th from 11:00AM to 4:00PM, at the Hotel Pennsylvania, 401 7^th Avenue at 33^rd Street.  For more information, visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/acs/html/adopt/events/nycadopt.html or call 311.

Heat Season Has Begun:

The City Housing Maintenance Code and Multiple Dwelling Law requires building owners to provide heat and hot water to all tenants. Building owners are required to provide hot water 365 days per year at a constant minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Between October 1st and May 31st, a period designated as "Heat Season," building owners are also required to provide tenants with heat under the following conditions:

·   Between the hours of 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM, if the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees, the inside temperature is required to be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit;

·   Between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, if the temperature outside falls below 40 degrees, the inside temperature is required to be at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tenants who are cold in their apartments should first attempt to notify the building owner, managing agent or superintendent. If heat is not restored, the tenant should call the City's Citizen Service Center at 311 (311 can be accessed outside of New York City by dialing (212) NEW YORK). For the hearing impaired, the TTY number is (212) 504-4115. The Center is open 24-hours a day, seven-days a week.

Lenox Hill Neighborhood Center Seeks Space for CARES Program:

Lenox Hill Senior Center is seeking a new location for their CARES Adult Day Program for people with Alzheimer’s Disease.  They require space that is ADA compliant, with ground floor/street level access, and kitchen access.  They require at least 1000 square feet, located between 50^th and 80^th Street on the East Side.  If you know of a potential space, contact Lynn Appelbaum at Lappelbaum@lenoxhill.org.

Spotlight on Policy

Proposed MTA Fare Hikes and Service Cuts

Earlier this month I testified at an MTA public hearing in opposition to the MTA’s proposed fare hikes and service cuts. While these cuts are indeed unconscionable, they are also the inevitable consequence of a failed, decades long approach of under funding public transportation and balancing the MTA’s budget on the backs of working New Yorkers.

The last decade has represented a remarkable turnaround in transportation trends, as ridership on subways and buses have risen dramatically and shed their 1980s image of danger and dysfunction. Unfortunately, while service and cleanliness improved, it did so at the expense of financial responsibility and has imperiled the system’s long-term fiscal health. The Board of the MTA, which is appointed by the Governor, did not aggressively seek increased state, city or federal aid, and they did not successfully push for increased or additional dedicated revenue streams. City and state officials were not forthcoming with new monies to finance the ambitious reconstruction of the system, but were quite happy to claim responsibility for the turnaround. The rebuilding of the subway was financed through debt and has jeopardized its current “state of good repair” as well as direly needed expansion projects such as the Second Avenue Subway and East Side Access.

A major source of the authorities current fiscal problems can be traced to the lack of city and state funding to the MTA’s capital budget. The capital plan was established in response to the poor state of the subway as seen in the 1980s. At its inception, the state recognized the need for adequate public funding and contributed $1.5 Billion, or 19% of the total capital budget with the city contributing 7%. State and city contributions to the capital budget has decreased markedly over the past twenty-five years, and by 2000, the state contributed nothing and the city contributed only 2%. Undeterred, the MTA pressed forward with its almost $20 Billion plan, financing the difference with debt.

While few doubt the necessity of the capital budget, payment on debt service is out of control. The M.T.A. paid 12% of its $9 Billion budget to debt service in 2004 alone. If the current capital budget is approved without major assistance from the city or state, the MTA will be paying 20% from its general operating funds in 2008 simply to pay off the interest that has accrued on the debt. The current system is completely untenable and will result in service decreases and fair increases as far as the eye can see.

Fortunately, advocacy groups, fiscal watchdogs, and other elected officials have made several common sense proposals, which, if implemented, should put the MTA on the path towards fiscal responsibility.

First, the state and the city must recommit itself to investing in public transportation through the general operating fund of the MTA and through increased contributions to the next and future capital budgets. The whole notion of public transportation is predicated on the assumption that government contributes enough to keep service on track and the fares reasonable. New Yorkers already contribute a higher percentage of their fairs and tolls to the operating and capital funds than in most other public transportation systems. We must recommit ourselves to a true system of “public transportation,” one that is adequately supported by the government for the benefit of its riders.

Second, we must implement increases in current dedicated revenue streams and explore new opportunities for dedicated revenue. In enacting this funding, we must ensure that measures are included which guarantee that these streams serve the purpose of their intention. Currently, tax supported revenue provides the MTA with its third largest source of revenue, with $2 Billion supporting the MTA in FY2004. Groups such as the Fiscal Policy Institute and the NYC Independent Budget Office, among others, have suggested various increases and new tax-based revenue streams which must be seriously considered.

Finally, we must ensure that any increase in funds are used wisely and we must also push to have greater accountability and oversight over the M.T.A.’s budget process and operations. Reform is the new buzzword in the state capitol, and we should apply the voters desires for reform to every aspect of our state’s government whether it be legislative rules, campaign finance or the operations of the public authorities. Too many anecdotal and substantive pieces have been documented over the years for us to assume that the authorities current problems are completely due to lack of funding. I have cosponsored a bill in the State Senate, introduced by Senate Democratic Leader David Paterson, that would require better reporting of financial data by the MTA and hope to work with my Senate colleagues this year to pass meaningful reform.

Over the next few years, our region and its leaders face a critical choice, which will have huge impacts on the future of our state. The first path, advocated by the Governor and others, redefines the definition of public transportation by placing burden of subway operations on the rider through increased fairs. The second path, advocated by myself and others, sees public transportation as a truly “public” investment with benefits for all. These benefits include immediate relief from never ending fair hikes and a sense of security for residents, commuters and tourists through the maintenance of token booth clerks. This path recognizes the environmental hazards of further disincentives to subway ridership and the need to keep the state’s economic engine moving with quality, reasonably priced transportation. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate to push for greater public investment in transportation and urge others to do the same.