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- Reported referred to ways and means
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Reported referred to rules
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Provides for the creation of a temporary state commission to determine the future governance of the canal corporation
In Senate Committee · Finance · Sponsor Antoine M. Thompson
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A495
Title of bill
An act providing for the creation of a temporary state commission to determine the future governance of the canal corporation; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose or general idea of bill
This Bill proposes to create a tempo- rary commission on the future governance of the canal corporation. Upon collecting information and its general finding the group is to convene and report all recommendations.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 calls for the creation of a temporary commission to study the proper placement of the canal corporation.
Section 2 calls for the commission to consist of thirteen members appointed with; seven members appointed by the governor, two by the temporary president of the senate, two members by the speaker of the assembly, and one to be appointed by minority leaders from each house. The governor appoints the head of the commission for his appointees.
Section 3 delineates that members of the commission are not to receive compensation but that all necessary expenditures shall be included.
Section 4 mandates that all employments and removals are subject to the commission's consent. Further, fixing compensation within the available amounts lies under the commission's authority.
Section 5 states that the commission will meet within the state, hold public hearings, and maintain all necessary powers of a legislative committee.
Section 6. requires that after commencement the commission shall procure all findings and evaluation. From these findings, no later than one year after origination, the. commission will draft a culminating report for the governor, the temporary president of the senate, and the speaker or the assembly.
Section 7 gives the effective date.
Justification
Since the incorporation of the Erie canal by the New York state thruway authority, there has been a noticeable drain on their resources. As a result, tolls and other fees are set to increase neces- sitating a new approach towards managing the canal corporation. With research and management the commission would effectively re-incorporate the canal corporation, emphasizing on making it fiscally manageable.
Rather than litigating on different bills; the creation of a bi-partisan committee -- specifically drafting policy directly correlating with the governing of the canal--would be most effective. With enough consider- ation to the particulars the canal will be safely managed, and realized
that the canal may not be classified as a major transportation route so the incorporation under the State Thruway system may be outdated. The committee will have roots in every aspect of the New York state legisla- ture, so it shall be assumed that quick and effective legislation will come of the committee.
Media and public attention have started to key in to this issue; realiz- ing its ramifications. Times Union reports that, "Michael Fleischer, the authority's executive director, said the Thruway's financial outlook no longer provides enough funding to support a $2.7 billion capital repair and improvement plan that was approved with the phased toll hikes in 2005. Most of that program -- just over $2.1 billion -- is for basic maintenance and repairs to core highway infrastructure, such as bridges and pavement, he said." Beyond their own troubling costs, the overall maintenance of the canal corporation will only drastically increase the already rising tolls on the New York state thruway. The committee will work with members from all different public groups to figure out the quickest and most financially viable solutions.
Prior legislative history
01/29/08 A9849 referred to corporations, authorities and commissions 05/28/09 reported referred to ways and means
Fiscal implications
None
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.