All articles tagged with #new york lawmakers
With New York's congestion pricing program paused, lawmakers are struggling to find alternative funding for the MTA's $15 billion budget gap. Despite the urgent need, most legislators have no concrete proposals, risking the delay or cancellation of critical transit upgrades. Only a few have suggested measures like cracking down on fare evasion, cutting construction costs, or expanding gambling to generate revenue.
New York lawmakers who supported the legalization of marijuana in 2021 are now expressing frustration over the proliferation of unlicensed pot shops in their districts. They complain that little is being done to address the issue, which they see as undermining the legal market and posing a public health risk, especially for young people. Opponents of marijuana legalization argue that the lawmakers themselves failed to address enforcement measures when approving the law. Suggestions for addressing the problem include faster closure of illegal shops, involving the NYPD in enforcement, and revising the law to give more authority to city agencies and prosecutors.