Gubernatorial Hopefuls Pitch New York Building Congress

In recognition of the vital role Albany plays in New York City’s affairs and given the critical need to reform State government, members of the New York Building Congress are paying careful attention to the Governor’s race in 2006.

During the first half of the year, the Building Congress hosted each of the four main gubernatorial candidates at three Construction Industry Forums, which are co-sponsored by New York Construction. The forums gave each candidate a platform to discuss his ideas on a wide range of economic development and infrastructure priorities.

At the Building Congress Annual Meeting in January, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said his administration would jumpstart critical infrastructure projects, such as the #7 and Second Avenue subway lines, and ensure that new power generating plants could be sited expeditiously. He also called for increased transparency at State authorities, which would ensure that decisions are based on “the wisdom of economic development” rather than political motives.

Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi said at an April forum, “Like you, I want to see the important infrastructure improvements happen. Even in Nassau, when I was facing a budget crisis, we built the new infrastructure we needed. The key is to go shake up Albany.”

The gubernatorial series concluded in May with what turned out to be the only candidate forum in New York State to feature both Republican candidates – former Assembly Minority Leader John Faso and former Massachusetts Governor William Weld – on the same stage.
Former Minority Leader Faso told the audience that New York must get away from using debt service to fund infrastructure projects. “Today New York motorists pay over $600 million in gasoline and diesel taxes. Put that in as ‘pay-as-you-go’ financing to supplement capital plans” of the New York State Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Governor Weld, who dropped out of the race after the State Republican convention, indicated a desire for major projects, including a Trans-Hudson rail tunnel, about which he said, “The Governor of New York has to put on a big hat and that’s okay. The tunnel makes economic sense for the entire region.”

Building Congress Chairman Dominick M. Servedio said, “One Building Congress priority for this year and going forward is to achieve meaningful action in Albany. The forums gave our members and the industry an opportunity to size up these men, one of whom will be the next Governor of New York. But more importantly, it gave the candidates an opportunity to hear our thoughts, ideas and concerns about the issues that most affect our industry and the City’s future growth.”

William F. Weld	Thomas R. Suozzi	Honorable Eliot Spitzer	John J. Faso, Former
Former Massachusetts Governor	Nassau County Executive	New York State Attorney General	New York State Assembly Minority Leader