Immediate Investment in Improving Infrastructure Would Put Thousands Back to Work While Making Crucial Improvements to Roads, Bridges, Public Transportation, Parks and Water Systems Across State

December 10, 2008 (New York, NY) – A broad coalition of labor, business, civic and environmental leaders from across New York today called on Governor David Paterson and the state legislature to pass a comprehensive $12 billion New York State stimulus package that would create or save 435,000 jobs across New York. The coalition also called on the state’s congressional delegation to devote federal stimulus money towards specific projects they laid out in their proposal. The announcement was made just weeks after State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli made the grim prediction that New York stands to lose 225,000 jobs over the next two years.

At a press conference in the on the steps of City Hall, the Coalition to Keep New York Working, spearheaded by the New York Roadway Improvement Coalition (NYRIC) and joined by the Empire State Transportation Alliance, Clean Water Jobs Coalition, and New Yorkers for Parks – the leading coalitions advocating for transit, roads, bridges, parks, and water infrastructure – said they would be aggressively lobbying Governor Paterson and the state congressional delegation to invest in New York’s future by creating new jobs and bolstering the state’s aging infrastructure. The coalition said that it had identified projects that could begin construction immediately which would result in job creation, major infrastructure, transportation and environmental improvements from Babylon to Buffalo.

“New York’s leaders are facing historically challenging choices when it comes to the fiscal crisis gripping our state,” said Dr. James Melius, President of NYRIC. “We understand that tough budget cuts must be made but we believe the government has an obligation and a unique opportunity to jump start our state economy by putting thousands of New Yorkers to work. The stimulus package we are calling for today will help all New Yorkers – from the jobs they need to the air they breathe, to the roads, bridges and subways they use to go about their daily lives.”

The proposal calls for Governor Paterson and New York’s congressional delegation to direct significant portions of federal and state money towards road, bridge, highway, waterway, park, and transportation infrastructure projects in the next two years. The stimulus package also contains a plan for significant funding for “green” projects across the state.

The coalition singled out several projects where work could commence right away, providing an immediate jolt to the state economy. The potential projects include: rehabilitating aging New York City subway stations; investing in new energy efficient modes of transportation; making improvements to service on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro North; investing in Bus Rapid Transit; making waste water system improvements in counties across the state; moving forward on crucial road and bridge repairs in several upstate counties; completing the Erie Canal Trailway; and investing in City and State parklands.

The coalition estimated that the stimulus package would lead to the potential for $19 billion in economic activity throughout New York.

“These are incredibly difficult times for working families and New Yorkers need jobs now,” said Gary La Barbera, President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council 16. “The potential to create 435,000 thousand new jobs while simultaneously improving crucial infrastructure that benefits people across the state can not be overlooked. We hope Governor Paterson and our leaders in Washington will share this view, embrace a state stimulus package and get New York working again.”

“With our economy in turmoil we all know that businesses big and small across the state are struggling to get by,” said Desmond Ryan, Executive Director of the Association for a Better Long Island. “Nothing will do more to boost our economy than an aggressive stimulus package aimed at getting New Yorkers back to work. While we fully understand that the Governor and the legislature have incredibly difficult decisions before them, we hope they seize on this opportunity to get us back on track by investing in infrastructure that will save the state money in the long run.”

“The Empire State Transportation Alliance (ESTA) strongly supports investment in the full five-year capital program for the MTA and the recommendations put forth by the Ravitch Commission last week,” said Kevin Corbett, Co-Chair Empire State Transportation Alliance. “We also call on the state to invest in other critical transportation, infrastructure and environmental projects that are ready to go but in jeopardy due to a lack of state funding. Making these strategic investments will provide much needed job stimulus around the state as well as important long-term benefits for New York’s future.”

Edward J. Malloy,
President,
New York State Building and Construction Trades Council said, “When New York’s construction industry is working, our state is working. With hundreds of infrastructure projects across the state shovel-ready for work to begin now, and with tens of thousands of jobs at risk, we call on Governor Paterson to help us keep New York’s middle class strong.”

Denise Richardson, Managing Director of the General Contractors Association of New York added, “New Yorkers have always found a way to overcome the challenges that beset our communities and this economic crisis is one of the stiffest challenges many have ever faced. Tough economic times are precisely when we need to redouble our efforts to invest in critically needed infrastructure projects to put people back to work and lay the foundation for the next cycle of economic growth.”

Albert E. Caccese, Executive Director of Audubon New York said, “It is widely known that an investment in new green sustainable projects can result in job creation and long term savings for our state’s economy and environment. We urge Governor Paterson and our state congressional delegation to help all New Yorkers by creating new jobs that simultaneously make our environment cleaner for generations to come.”

“Investments in parks and public spaces can quickly create jobs, increase real estate values, and catalyze economic development,” said Christian Di Palermo, Executive Director, New Yorkers for Parks. “During the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration undertook parkland improvements that revitalized communities across the State, and continue to pay dividends even today. The federal and State government can do the same for New York in 2009.”

The coalition calling for the New York stimulus plan includes the General Contractors Association of New York, Long Island Contractors Association, Construction Industry Council of Westchester and the Hudson Valley, Associated General Contractors of New York State, 
New York State Building and Construction Trades Council, New York City Central Labor Council, Empire State Regional Council of Carpenters, District Council of Carpenters, Operating Engineers Local 14, Laborers International Union of North America,
 the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 9, Mason Tenders’ District Council of Greater New York & Long Island, Building Trades Employers Association, the Regional Plan Association, The New York League of Conservation Voters, Audubon New York, the Environmental Defense Fund, New Yorkers for Parks, Parks & Trails New York, Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, Friends of Hudson River Park, Governors Island Alliance, City Parks Foundation, Business Council of Westchester and the Tri-State Transportation Campaign (list in formation).