Comments on: How David Gantt Sent Bus Cameras to Defeat in Albany http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:31:30 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: CM http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52935 CM Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:10:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52935 Gantt was also concerned about how his constituents--from Rochester--would know where the boundary for Congestion Pricing started when they came to visit NYC. Oy. Tragic. Gantt was also concerned about how his constituents--from Rochester--would know where the boundary for Congestion Pricing started when they came to visit NYC. Oy. Tragic.

]]> By: Urbanis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52797 Urbanis Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:22:43 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52797 Gary #22, on what grounds are you calling secession "preposterous"--beyond the issue of our water supply? Gary #22, on what grounds are you calling secession "preposterous"--beyond the issue of our water supply?

]]> By: Gary http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52783 Gary Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:56:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52783 Secede from NY State and we will indeed "get what we deserve" . . . I wonder what would happen to the rates on our water supply, all of which is upstate. This system needs fixing, that is certain. There will be a sea change this year when the DEms take the Senate; not to mention the bizarre series of events including the implosions of Spitzer and Bruno (only a matter of time before Joe gets indicted, IMHO) and the completely unexpected rise of Paterson to the Governorship. At worst the bus camera bill is delayed until the next session. Keep the spotlight on Gantt, pressure the hell out of your elected officials, start thinking about who we should be backing for Senate Majority leader after November, and back primary challengers where appropriate, like Paul Newell. The idea of secession is preposterous. And while home rule is important, it needs to be balanced against sound regional planning needs. I believe we need more emphasis on Regional Planning, not less. Let's focus on things that we can actually accomplish. On that note, I'm looking to organize a group of transit advocates to meet and discuss strategies to influence the Ravitch Commission. WE have a few months to try to shape this policy to get the best outcome possible. Anybody interested can reach me at ggreilly AT gmail DOT com. Best, Gary Secede from NY State and we will indeed "get what we deserve" . . . I wonder what would happen to the rates on our water supply, all of which is upstate.

This system needs fixing, that is certain. There will be a sea change this year when the DEms take the Senate; not to mention the bizarre series of events including the implosions of Spitzer and Bruno (only a matter of time before Joe gets indicted, IMHO) and the completely unexpected rise of Paterson to the Governorship.

At worst the bus camera bill is delayed until the next session. Keep the spotlight on Gantt, pressure the hell out of your elected officials, start thinking about who we should be backing for Senate Majority leader after November, and back primary challengers where appropriate, like Paul Newell.

The idea of secession is preposterous. And while home rule is important, it needs to be balanced against sound regional planning needs. I believe we need more emphasis on Regional Planning, not less. Let's focus on things that we can actually accomplish.

On that note, I'm looking to organize a group of transit advocates to meet and discuss strategies to influence the Ravitch Commission. WE have a few months to try to shape this policy to get the best outcome possible. Anybody interested can reach me at ggreilly AT gmail DOT com.

Best,
Gary

]]> By: JF http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52773 JF Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:58:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52773 According to some articles, the Assembly ended the practice of "empty-seat voting" back in 2005. So how come Hoyt and Alessi's votes were counted as "yes" votes? http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/07/nyregion/07rules.html http://www.city-journal.org/html/7_2_albanys_travesty.html http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/_poststandard-two_years_later_much_is_undone.htm According to some articles, the Assembly ended the practice of "empty-seat voting" back in 2005. So how come Hoyt and Alessi's votes were counted as "yes" votes?

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/07/nyregion/07rules.html
http://www.city-journal.org/html/7_2_albanys_travesty.html
http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/_poststandard-two_years_later_much_is_undone.htm

]]> By: Urbanis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52766 Urbanis Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:00:02 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52766 Larry #11, no matter how corrupt NYC government might get (e.g., Tammany Hall), I think there's a larger issue involved in that local issues should be decided locally, and it's easier for people to hold their representatives accountable when their representatives live in their neighborhood. I would have no problems in NYC remaining part of NYS if it had home rule where it counts. Larry #11, no matter how corrupt NYC government might get (e.g., Tammany Hall), I think there's a larger issue involved in that local issues should be decided locally, and it's easier for people to hold their representatives accountable when their representatives live in their neighborhood. I would have no problems in NYC remaining part of NYS if it had home rule where it counts.

]]> By: Dave http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52761 Dave Sat, 28 Jun 2008 01:20:30 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52761 Bruno's gone (though his replacement doesn't sound all that much better...my test of course being support of CP) and this guy should be next. Questionable ties to business associates with favoritism implied; a city-hater attitude; and typical Albany shenanigans. Larry you say the state saved NYC in the past; well the past is past and I say we NY'ers take up succession once again to get what we deserve from the cronies, hacks and self-serving idiots in Albany. Look at Bruno and the $3 billion he sent to his home district while the most heavily-used transit system in the country deteriorates and is broke. Bruno's gone (though his replacement doesn't sound all that much better...my test of course being support of CP) and this guy should be next. Questionable ties to business associates with favoritism implied; a city-hater attitude; and typical Albany shenanigans.

Larry you say the state saved NYC in the past; well the past is past and I say we NY'ers take up succession once again to get what we deserve from the cronies, hacks and self-serving idiots in Albany. Look at Bruno and the $3 billion he sent to his home district while the most heavily-used transit system in the country deteriorates and is broke.

]]> By: David http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52756 David Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:43:27 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52756 I just wanted to commend Ben on his continued work in exposing David Gantt's disregard for the needs of riders in the tri-state area. It is high time we get elected officials in office who understand why all levels of government need to properly invest in our transit infrastructure in terms of finances & laws. I just wanted to commend Ben on his continued work in exposing David Gantt's disregard for the needs of riders in the tri-state area. It is high time we get elected officials in office who understand why all levels of government need to properly invest in our transit infrastructure in terms of finances & laws.

]]> By: anon http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52753 anon Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:40:02 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52753 Good point. How much would it cost to start a mass mailing to everyone in his district? Do we know if there is anyone running against him in the primary? Does he have an opponent for the general election yet? If so, what are the positions of the opponent(s)? Good point. How much would it cost to start a mass mailing to everyone in his district? Do we know if there is anyone running against him in the primary? Does he have an opponent for the general election yet? If so, what are the positions of the opponent(s)?

]]> By: daniel http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52752 daniel Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:36:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52752 By holding a surprise vote in a surprise location, the chair was deliberately trying to exclude members from making the vote. This, of course, directly equates to disenfranchising the absent members and the people who elected them. When did the one man in Albany get the power to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands (or more) of New York citizens? This shows you the low regard in which he holds the voters of the state of New York. We should begin a campaign of education aimed at the voters in his district so they know exactly who and what they are sending to Albany. I can not believe that they would willingly and knowingly endorse this reprehensible and undemocratic behavior. By holding a surprise vote in a surprise location, the chair was deliberately trying to exclude members from making the vote. This, of course, directly equates to disenfranchising the absent members and the people who elected them. When did the one man in Albany get the power to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands (or more) of New York citizens? This shows you the low regard in which he holds the voters of the state of New York. We should begin a campaign of education aimed at the voters in his district so they know exactly who and what they are sending to Albany. I can not believe that they would willingly and knowingly endorse this reprehensible and undemocratic behavior.

]]> By: Moser http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52749 Moser Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:35:16 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52749 Great reporting, analyis - thanks. Great reporting, analyis - thanks.

]]> By: Mark Walker http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52744 Mark Walker Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:05:25 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52744 Oops, I've just realized Gantt is in the Assembly, not the Senate. But the concept is sound. We need to get more people from downstate on that committee, plus at least one who's willing to make waves. Oops, I've just realized Gantt is in the Assembly, not the Senate. But the concept is sound. We need to get more people from downstate on that committee, plus at least one who's willing to make waves.

]]> By: Mark Walker http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52743 Mark Walker Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:04:16 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52743 This would be an excellent chance for Sen. Eric Adams to prove his stated willingness to make a difference in transit issues. Get him on this committee and let him make his mark on it. I think he's another power broker in the making, though in a constructive way. Let's build our own power broker, confronting a bad power broker with a good one. Are you listening, Sen. Adams? This would be an excellent chance for Sen. Eric Adams to prove his stated willingness to make a difference in transit issues. Get him on this committee and let him make his mark on it. I think he's another power broker in the making, though in a constructive way. Let's build our own power broker, confronting a bad power broker with a good one. Are you listening, Sen. Adams?

]]> By: Mark Gorton http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52742 Mark Gorton Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:29:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52742 I have formed a Livable Streets Group for the purpose of organizing around this issue. Please join: http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/committe-to-convince-david-gantt-of-the-merits-of-mass-transit-and-law-enforcement/blog/ to help fight for bus camera enforcement. I have formed a Livable Streets Group for the purpose of organizing around this issue. Please join: http://www.livablestreets.com/projects/committe-to-convince-david-gantt-of-the-merits-of-mass-transit-and-law-enforcement/blog/ to help fight for bus camera enforcement.

]]> By: za http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52740 za Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:08:03 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52740 What about Ivan Lafayette, the hack from Queens who voted to table the measure? Somebody needs to get him on the record explaining the rationale for his vote. What about Ivan Lafayette, the hack from Queens who voted to table the measure? Somebody needs to get him on the record explaining the rationale for his vote.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52739 Larry Littlefield Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:58:08 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52739 "So, why aren't we fighting for home rule legislation (or secession, if it comes to that)." In the long history of New York there were plenty of times when the city government was pathetic and corrupt and the state saved our rear. Now it is the reverse. Better for the state to get fixed than to secede from it, though that may not be possible. "So, why aren't we fighting for home rule legislation (or secession, if it comes to that)."

In the long history of New York there were plenty of times when the city government was pathetic and corrupt and the state saved our rear. Now it is the reverse. Better for the state to get fixed than to secede from it, though that may not be possible.

]]> By: joe bloggs http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52735 joe bloggs Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:37:52 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52735 Most everyone agrees buses are ridiculously slow yet everyone agrees that buses are necessary to the overall transportation picture. This was an important piece of legislation that could have dramatically improved the performance of buses. This is bad news. Most everyone agrees buses are ridiculously slow yet everyone agrees that buses are necessary to the overall transportation picture. This was an important piece of legislation that could have dramatically improved the performance of buses. This is bad news.

]]> By: gecko http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52734 gecko Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:31:59 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52734 The vote should be done again out in the open. The vote should be done again out in the open.

]]> By: Urbanis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52733 Urbanis Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:29:26 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52733 So, why aren't we fighting for home rule legislation (or secession, if it comes to that) rather than trying to win battles in the hopelessly corrupt state legislature? NYC is doomed to lose. Even if our state legislature were a model of transparent and progressive government, it does not make sense for issues of solely local import to be decided in the state capital. I don't just want locally grown food, I want locally grown government. I want decisions about communities to be made in those communities. So, why aren't we fighting for home rule legislation (or secession, if it comes to that) rather than trying to win battles in the hopelessly corrupt state legislature? NYC is doomed to lose. Even if our state legislature were a model of transparent and progressive government, it does not make sense for issues of solely local import to be decided in the state capital.

I don't just want locally grown food, I want locally grown government. I want decisions about communities to be made in those communities.

]]> By: JK http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52732 JK Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:20:15 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52732 The deal is that the Authorities Committee (Brodsky) which oversees the MTA (transit) goes to someone from Downstate. (Westchester counts.) The Transpo Committee, which traditionally steers bridge and highway pork and big contracts, goes to someone from Upstate. It's a head on collision with modernity for Gantt et al to deal with issues like BRT, bus cams or anything outside the AAA, cars first and last mindset. Gantt is from a generation which sees buses as transportation for the the poor and having a car as a symbol of membership in the middle class. For years, Gantt's main Albany staffer was the former chief lobbyist for AAA. It's no surprise, he completely subscribes to their vision of the car as the middle class dream machine. The deal is that the Authorities Committee (Brodsky) which oversees the MTA (transit) goes to someone from Downstate. (Westchester counts.) The Transpo Committee, which traditionally steers bridge and highway pork and big contracts, goes to someone from Upstate. It's a head on collision with modernity for Gantt et al to deal with issues like BRT, bus cams or anything outside the AAA, cars first and last mindset. Gantt is from a generation which sees buses as transportation for the the poor and having a car as a symbol of membership in the middle class. For years, Gantt's main Albany staffer was the former chief lobbyist for AAA. It's no surprise, he completely subscribes to their vision of the car as the middle class dream machine.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/comment-page-1/#comment-52731 Larry Littlefield Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:04:20 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/27/how-david-gantt-sent-bus-cameras-to-defeat-in-albany/#comment-52731 "Obviously I'm not enough of a cynic but it never ceases to amaze me that this is how our state legislature functions." This is NOT how the state legislature functions. The fact that there was drama, arm twisting and a vote in extremely unusual. These transportation issues seem to have opened up cracks in the legislature that didn't exist before. The way the state actually functions is this: There are certain interests, mostly corporate (looking to for special tax breaks, subsidies, and monopoly power) and public service producer (looking to provide less for more) who dominate Albany. They give money to the big three. The big three, beholden to these interests, make all the big decisions. The rest receive a share of member item pork (an insignificant share of what the government does) and campaign contributions in exchange for voting yes on whatever Bruno/Silver decide to allow. No votes are virtually unheard of. In fact until recently, most legislators didn't even bother to show up, as their votes were automatically counted as yes. When I first heard of State Senator Maltese, I thought "serf" was his formal title not his name. "Obviously I'm not enough of a cynic but it never ceases to amaze me that this is how our state legislature functions."

This is NOT how the state legislature functions. The fact that there was drama, arm twisting and a vote in extremely unusual. These transportation issues seem to have opened up cracks in the legislature that didn't exist before.

The way the state actually functions is this:

There are certain interests, mostly corporate (looking to for special tax breaks, subsidies, and monopoly power) and public service producer (looking to provide less for more) who dominate Albany. They give money to the big three.

The big three, beholden to these interests, make all the big decisions.

The rest receive a share of member item pork (an insignificant share of what the government does) and campaign contributions in exchange for voting yes on whatever Bruno/Silver decide to allow. No votes are virtually unheard of. In fact until recently, most legislators didn't even bother to show up, as their votes were automatically counted as yes.

When I first heard of State Senator Maltese, I thought "serf" was his formal title not his name.

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