Comments on: The politics of threatening service cuts http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/15/the-politics-of-threatening-service-cuts/ A New York City Subway Blog Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:53:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Drilling down on the politics of student MetroCard cuts :: Second Ave. Sagas | A New York City Subway Blog http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/15/the-politics-of-threatening-service-cuts/#comment-68332 Drilling down on the politics of student MetroCard cuts :: Second Ave. Sagas | A New York City Subway Blog Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:03:51 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4536#comment-68332 [...] even before the vote — politicians were already slamming the agency for doing so. In a way, as I said yesterday, proposing cuts to the student transit discount was designed to get the attention of politicians, [...] [...] even before the vote — politicians were already slamming the agency for doing so. In a way, as I said yesterday, proposing cuts to the student transit discount was designed to get the attention of politicians, [...]

]]> By: rhywun http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/15/the-politics-of-threatening-service-cuts/#comment-68271 rhywun Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:47:58 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4536#comment-68271 I agree, and I've been calling for "serious" cuts for a long time, not just the so-called "doomsday" cuts which in the end aren't that serious after all and which don't cover even 1/10 of the deficit. I'm perversely glad that the MTA is finally forced to draw up a budget that is requires real, drastic cuts--because now the public and especially our "leaders" finally have to live up to reality. I agree, and I’ve been calling for “serious” cuts for a long time, not just the so-called “doomsday” cuts which in the end aren’t that serious after all and which don’t cover even 1/10 of the deficit. I’m perversely glad that the MTA is finally forced to draw up a budget that is requires real, drastic cuts–because now the public and especially our “leaders” finally have to live up to reality.

]]> By: Nick http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/15/the-politics-of-threatening-service-cuts/#comment-68256 Nick Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:46:20 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4536#comment-68256 I'm actually in support of the student MetroCard cut. As a state we already have the #2 spending per student in the US and the results of pouring thi money in are lackluster. I already subsidize this through my state income tax. If it should come to a fare increase or the student MetroCard, I say time to pay. It may seem harsh, but it's time to start cleaning up everywhere! I’m actually in support of the student MetroCard cut. As a state we already have the #2 spending per student in the US and the results of pouring thi money in are lackluster. I already subsidize this through my state income tax. If it should come to a fare increase or the student MetroCard, I say time to pay.

It may seem harsh, but it’s time to start cleaning up everywhere!

]]> By: Marc Shepherd http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/15/the-politics-of-threatening-service-cuts/#comment-68251 Marc Shepherd Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:25:31 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4536#comment-68251 Your weird suggestion breaks down because the MTA is in no position to issue an all-or-nothing ultimatim. The MTA is the legislature's creation, and the legislature can make it do whatever it wants. The legislature could put in new management that shares their views, much faster than the voters could fire the legislature. Indeed, it is notable that in Jay Walder's Senate confirmation hearing, he specifically stated that he will not be pursuing congestion pricing, even though in London, where he worked previously, they had done precisely that. Whatever his private feelings may be, Walder recognized that CP is currently a non-starter in New York. Of course, it's doubtful that NY voters actually realize that the legislature is to blame. After all, the legislature has been fouling up transit for decades, and it doesn't seem to have hurt them at the ballot box. Your weird suggestion breaks down because the MTA is in no position to issue an all-or-nothing ultimatim. The MTA is the legislature’s creation, and the legislature can make it do whatever it wants. The legislature could put in new management that shares their views, much faster than the voters could fire the legislature.

Indeed, it is notable that in Jay Walder’s Senate confirmation hearing, he specifically stated that he will not be pursuing congestion pricing, even though in London, where he worked previously, they had done precisely that. Whatever his private feelings may be, Walder recognized that CP is currently a non-starter in New York.

Of course, it’s doubtful that NY voters actually realize that the legislature is to blame. After all, the legislature has been fouling up transit for decades, and it doesn’t seem to have hurt them at the ballot box.

]]> By: SEAN http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/15/the-politics-of-threatening-service-cuts/#comment-68239 SEAN Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:24:10 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4536#comment-68239 If nessessary there is one more card to play for the MTA. That would be a complete shutdown of ALL subway & bus services unless Albany comes up with senceable funding structures that would include East River bridge tolls, congestion pricing & cashless tolls on Northern & Southern State Parkways, LIE, NY throughway, NE Throughway BQE & the other interstates running through Westchester, Putnam & Dutchess Counties. If Albany says NO, then the MTA has to be willing to shut everything down. Polititions realize if the MTA is not opperating they could be thrown out of office. That should be enough insentive to act. The key is the willingness to follow through with such an action. If nessessary there is one more card to play for the MTA. That would be a complete shutdown of ALL subway & bus services unless Albany comes up with senceable funding structures that would include East River bridge tolls, congestion pricing & cashless tolls on Northern & Southern State Parkways, LIE, NY throughway, NE Throughway BQE & the other interstates running through Westchester,
Putnam & Dutchess Counties.

If Albany says NO, then the MTA has to be willing to shut everything down. Polititions realize if the MTA is not opperating they could be thrown out of office. That should be enough insentive to act. The key is the willingness to follow through with such an action.

]]> By: Streetsblog New York City » Today’s Headlines http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/15/the-politics-of-threatening-service-cuts/#comment-68234 Streetsblog New York City » Today’s Headlines Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:34:42 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4536#comment-68234 [...] MTA Finance Committee Approves Massive Cuts; Albany Still MIA (NYT, Post, News, SAS) [...] [...] MTA Finance Committee Approves Massive Cuts; Albany Still MIA (NYT, Post, News, SAS) [...]

]]> By: Marc Shepherd http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/15/the-politics-of-threatening-service-cuts/#comment-68233 Marc Shepherd Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:42:39 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4536#comment-68233 I think you are right that the public is fundamentally uneducable. Transit has been inadquately funded since the Depression, when a government-mandated five-cent fare put the IRT and the BMT into bankruptcy, and launched a death spiral of under-investment from which the system has still not recovered. If folks don't get it after 60 or 70 years, then they are never going to get it. But Ben is right that there are some canny politics going on here. It will be awfully tough for any politician to sit still with transit aid for students on the chopping block. If any service cut is going to spur the legislature to action, this one will. I think you are right that the public is fundamentally uneducable. Transit has been inadquately funded since the Depression, when a government-mandated five-cent fare put the IRT and the BMT into bankruptcy, and launched a death spiral of under-investment from which the system has still not recovered. If folks don’t get it after 60 or 70 years, then they are never going to get it.

But Ben is right that there are some canny politics going on here. It will be awfully tough for any politician to sit still with transit aid for students on the chopping block. If any service cut is going to spur the legislature to action, this one will.

]]> By: Scott E http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/15/the-politics-of-threatening-service-cuts/#comment-68232 Scott E Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:41:46 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4536#comment-68232 E. Aron, you are absolutely right. The MTA rarely goes on the offensive, and when it does, it does so weakly. Perhaps they're afraid to bite the hand that feeds (or taunts) them. I'd love to see Gene Russianoff, or any other transit advocate, interviewed on TV news directly naming the Fare Hike Four: Carl Kruger, Ruben Diaz, Sr., Pedro Espada, Jr., and Hiram Monserrate, and reminding the public that <i>these elected officials</i> are, in a large part, responsible for the current state. Point fingers at the Governor and Mayor who fail to make their contributions as well. Lather, rinse, and repeat. The media will eat this kind of drama up. The public will direct their rage properly, and the politicians might be shamed into doing the right thing., E. Aron, you are absolutely right. The MTA rarely goes on the offensive, and when it does, it does so weakly. Perhaps they’re afraid to bite the hand that feeds (or taunts) them.

I’d love to see Gene Russianoff, or any other transit advocate, interviewed on TV news directly naming the Fare Hike Four: Carl Kruger, Ruben Diaz, Sr., Pedro Espada, Jr., and Hiram Monserrate, and reminding the public that these elected officials are, in a large part, responsible for the current state. Point fingers at the Governor and Mayor who fail to make their contributions as well. Lather, rinse, and repeat.

The media will eat this kind of drama up. The public will direct their rage properly, and the politicians might be shamed into doing the right thing.,

]]> By: pb http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/15/the-politics-of-threatening-service-cuts/#comment-68231 pb Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:41:44 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4536#comment-68231 I remember when Albany put the package for the MTA earlier this year they were warned and cautiously said that when it comes time at the end of the year they would look at a more reliable source of income for the MTA. I haven't even heard any talk of this? Malcom Smith and the leaders up there were so playing around and we get the end of the stick. I remember when Albany put the package for the MTA earlier this year they were warned and cautiously said that when it comes time at the end of the year they would look at a more reliable source of income for the MTA. I haven’t even heard any talk of this? Malcom Smith and the leaders up there were so playing around and we get the end of the stick.

]]> By: E. Aron http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/15/the-politics-of-threatening-service-cuts/#comment-68227 E. Aron Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:18:52 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4536#comment-68227 While I understand and agree with your point that the public needs to be educated about the role of the city and state in not properly funding the MTA, I'm not sure that they can succeed at that. I watched roughly 15 minutes of NY1 last night during which they had a segment about the service cuts, and every single caller was apoplectic about the MTA - the MTA - cutting service. Not once did anyone mention their disdain for the city or state in not funding the MTA properly, and not once did any of the reporters mention the role that the city and state play in funding the MTA. I guess this falls under the fact that one needs to look a bit further into the headline, "MTA to cut service," but those who do look further into it are the minority, I think. While I understand and agree with your point that the public needs to be educated about the role of the city and state in not properly funding the MTA, I’m not sure that they can succeed at that. I watched roughly 15 minutes of NY1 last night during which they had a segment about the service cuts, and every single caller was apoplectic about the MTA – the MTA – cutting service. Not once did anyone mention their disdain for the city or state in not funding the MTA properly, and not once did any of the reporters mention the role that the city and state play in funding the MTA.

I guess this falls under the fact that one needs to look a bit further into the headline, “MTA to cut service,” but those who do look further into it are the minority, I think.

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