See Also: Index of all Propositions

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote on this measure means:

What will this proposal do if approved? The purpose of the proposal is to authorize a state debt and the sale of state bonds of up to two billion nine hundred million dollars ($2,900,000,000) to provide money for the purpose of improving, enhancing, preserving, and restoring the quality of the state's transportation infrastructure. Half would be used to improve public transportation, the other half for roads and bridges. The money would be for the planning and design, construction, reconstruction, replacement, improvement, reconditioning, rehabilitation and preservation of roads, bridges and public highways, border crossing enhancements; highway-railroad grade crossings; pedestrian and bicycle trails and pathways; rail and high speed rail projects; airports and aviation facilities, equipment and related projects; the canal system and incidental property; ports, marine terminals and marine transportation facilities; urban, commuter, and intercity passenger rail, freight rail, and intermodal (multi-mode) passenger and freight facilities and equipment; urban and commuter passenger and freight rail, omnibus, and mass transit and rapid transit systems, facilities and equipment. The state Legislature would be authorized to use the bond proceeds for state programs or state grants to cities, counties, towns, villages, public benefit or other public corporations or authorities, for the purpose of the act or to match available federal funds for such purpose.

• it will contribute to the state's economic recovery;
• it will pay for itself through the creation of construction jobs and increased commerce;
• it is needed to provide the state's share of the cost of certain important projects in order to qualify for the federal government's contribution towards those projects;
• with less funding coming from the federal government, it provides an opportunity to rebuild NY's infrastructure and maintain its economic viability for years to come.

• it is not fiscally responsible;
• there is already a dedicated highway trust fund designed to pay for many of these projects; a more sound approach would be a constitutional amendment to prohibit state government from using these dedicated funds for other purposes;
• approval would lead to increased taxes;
• it would be stealing from the future to pay for today's costs.