Democrats vs. New York

The House of Representatives’ passage of a $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan this week has New York’s Democratic delegation crowing, but they should all be eating crow because the MTA is getting shortchanged by billions, again. Supported by every Democrat save two and opposed by every Republican except two Jersey guys and a Philly congressman, the Moving Forward Act has a cleverly named half-trillion transportation section called the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation, or INVEST Act. But cute wordplay doesn’t make up for these supposed pro-urban, pro-transit Democrats giving the MTA just 15% of the pot when New York’s subways and buses carry 40% of the passengers in the country and Metro-North and the LIRR account for two-thirds of commuter rail riders.

The chintzy 15% has been Washington’s rigged formula for years. Instead of boosting it even a single percentage point to deal with the coronavirus-induced transit cataclysm, the House Dems stayed with the tried and true: Screw New York and make sure that some never-used light rail project over here or a little bus line over there gets cash.

MTA Chair Pat Foye pleaded for a better deal. He got nada.

The bill does include more pushing for Amtrak’s $30 billion Gateway boondoggle, like making the feds publish a “Doomsday” contingency plan if the damaged Hudson tunnel has to shut down. No need. Just use Gov. Cuomo’s L-train idea and fix the tubes right now. With smarter plans, the repairs could have been completed by now.