STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Islanders may soon be able to breathe a sigh of relief about proposed speed cameras and anticipated toll increases on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
The New York Senate passed its One-House Budget Resolution, which included nixing a possible speed camera program for MTA bridges and tunnels, and adding more funding to retain the Staten Island residents toll rebate program for the Verrazzano.
The budget resolution is not final, however. The State Assembly has passed its One-House Budget resolution, which also rejected Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal for a speed camera program for MTA bridges and tunnels.
“I am proud that the short-sighted plan to put speed cameras on the Verrazzano Bridge was excluded from this resolution,” said State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/South Brooklyn). “Staten Islanders already suffer from the longest commutes in the country, and putting cameras on the Verrazzano would only make things worse, taking advantage of the many borough residents who rely on the bridge for their daily commutes.We also worked with help Staten Islanders with their commutes by securing the resident toll discount, and are making sure that it stays in place – even if they try to raise our tolls.”
When Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins was asked if she believes the budget will be finalized on time, she said “I think we can do it.”
“This is the beginning of the middle,” said Stewart-Cousins said during a press conference last week.
Speaker Carl Heastie said he prefers a “good budget” over an “on-time budget.”
SCARCELLA-SPANTON COMMENTS ON OTHER PARTS OF RESOLUTION
If the State Senate’s resolutions make the final cut, Scarcella-Spanton says there are several other components of the resolution that will positively impact her constituents, including:
- Adding $100 million for the Small Business Seed Funding Grant Program and amending eligibility requirements for the Small Business Recovery Grant Program.
- Modifying the executive proposal for small business tax cuts by also extending tax cuts to small businesses who pay under the corporate franchise tax.
- Adding $1.6 million to support the Holocaust Survivors Initiative for additional access to health care services for those New Yorkers who suffered in the Holocaust.
- Omitting the executive proposal to increase tuition at CUNY and SUNY schools.
- Including language that covers doula services under the Medicaid program and adding $10 million to support doula services and provide reimbursement rates for providers.
As chair of the Senate’s Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, Scarcella-Spanton was proud to announce the resolution proposing a $1.7 million increase – 15.4% more than the funding in the 2022-2023 budget – to Veterans’ Affairs.
The senator also expressed some concerns about the Senate’s resolution.
“The additional funding for discovery implementation utilized by our NYC DA offices is vital for public safety, but let me be clear: we need to make sure they’re fully funded to do this work efficiently and there is still a lot of work to do around public safety, said Scarcella-Spanton.
“Although this resolution includes many things that are highly beneficial to my constituents, I must highlight aspects that bring deep concern. For example, we shouldn’t build new housing without local input and against the wishes of those from our communities, on our path to sustainability we shouldn’t be telling homeowners what they can and can’t have in their homes, and need to protect our tenants and homeowners by ensuring that we legislate in a way that keep both in mind, not pinning one against the other. Community input must be central in all that we do, and I will continue fighting for that on behalf of my constituents,” she added.
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