Long Island is getting a mere 7.8% of the state’s next annual transportation budget — a third of what it typically nets — and local pols and trade groups are crying foul.
The shocking drop in transit dollars for the island — which usually lands about 23% of New York’s yearly transportation budget — comes just days before Gov. Kathy Hochul is slotted to deliver her State of the State address.
“Suffolk [County, LI] is number one in the state — more registered vehicles, more licensed drivers, more lane mileage than any other county,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine told The Post. “Long Island is getting shortchanged in terms of transportation aid.”
Romaine said state transportation aid was previously based on three metrics: lane mileage, licensed drivers and registered-vehicle numbers. Suffolk County leads the state in all three categories, he said, adding he’s unsure what changed for Long Island to lose out on its typical transit pot.
Under the new budget, Buffalo/Western New York will receive 40.1% of the funding, New York City 13.6%, and the Hudson Valley 9.6%, in addition to Long Island’s cut. The remaining upstate regions will receive 28.9%.
A letter went out to Long Island pols urging them to take action against the state’s plan.
“We have some of the fastest-deteriorating road conditions in the state,” wrote Marc Herbst, executive director of the Long Island Contractors’ Association, in the memo. “Long Island has experienced a significant decline over the past six years.”
The letter endorses an alternative plan titled the 2025 People’s Budget Framework, led by local state Assemblywoman Michaelle Solanges. The plan proposes an $800 million boost to the DOT Transportation capital program, the restoration of the Suburban Highway Improvement funding program for the Long Island and Hudson Valley regions and the establishment of a Long Island Metropolitan Planning organization.
“If you want Long Island to be that economic engine, which we can be, we need to invest in infrastructure, roads, sewer, drainage, things of that nature,” Said Romaine, who expressed his support for Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in his remarks.
“When you invest in infrastructure, you improve the productivity of any entity that you invest it,” he said.
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