Establishes the New York state rail authority

Title of bill

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to establishing the New York state rail authority; and to amend the executive law, in relation to participation by minority group members and women with respect to contracts of the New York state rail authority

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would create a New York State Rail authority.

Summary of specific provisions

Section One creates a Rail authority and provides for its powers, responsibilities and board compensation. The authority is given the ability to higher employees, bond for construction or award a franchise if that course of action is decided upon. Additional provisions cover requirements for corporate transparency, whistleblower protection and cost effectiveness.

Section two gives the effective date.

Justification

As it has been in the past, rail is an important part of the future of New York State. Rail once connected the great cities of New York with the rest of the world. Over the years, the emergence of cheap car-based transit meant that intercity rail become a lower priority. Times have begun to change and New York would be well served if it addressed some of the stresses of intercity transit by creating faster rail. In a connected world it is important that upstate communities have rail based pathways to regional megacities Toronto, New York and Boston. Improving rail has a great upside. Travel times could be reduced, thereby decreasing the obstacles to tourism and commerce. We could decrease our dependence on foreign oil. A petroleum based economy is overly dependent on uninterrupted production and distribution. To often within the last few years, the price of oil has skyrocketed based on speculation about instability in supply. The importance of decreasing our consumption of foreign oil is also coupled with an understanding of the deep environmental effect of car based transportation. Reducing the number of cars on the road and transferring those passengers to more efficient rail would help to clean up our skies and our rivers, while preserving these scarce and endangered resources for the next generation of New Yorkers. Recent commitments of federal government dollars to support high speed rail mean that in order to be in the competition, New York needs to focus its efforts on high speed rail. California created High Speed Rail Authority which has well-positioned them to move forward with their plans. The New York State Department of Transportation has worked to create a 20 year rail plan which will serve as the basis for creation of a high speed rail line from Western New York to Albany. A rail authority can take the next step and carry out the vision articulated in that plan.

Prior legislative history

None.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

180 days after it becomes a law.