Uncle Sam plays fair with funds

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Washington: New York State has received more than $9 billion from the U.S. Department of Transportation since 2017, so it’s disingenuous for Rep. Max Rose to claim that the department plays favorites (“Build infrastructure and rebuild trust,” op-ed, Feb. 3). Formulas outlining most USDOT funding to states are decades-old, and we shouldn’t pit states against one another. Nonetheless, New Yorkers should be pleased to know that their state is the third-largest recipient of federal transportation dollars in the union. Comparisons with other states don’t quite hold up when that’s considered.

And it’s not for nothing — the federal government is committed to safe and efficient travel. Tax dollars from New Yorkers and residents of all 50 states are spent every day to make sure highways are safe, potholes are filled, and the buses and subway run.

Rose claims that the proposed Hudson Tunnel project’s inability to move forward is due to bias, which is a neat way of disregarding the fact that the project does not meet the requirements under law, including an inadequate financial plan to pay for the project. Despite direction from the department on how to fix the application, the project sponsors continue to ignore these suggestions. Since 2017, the Trump administration has supported funding for 25 major transit projects representing $4.6 billion for communities that meet the requirements under law.

If this project is so important, why is it that not a penny of the forthcoming Manhattan congestion charge is intended for the Hudson Tunnel project? We’ll keep working on muchneeded environmental permitting reforms, but when it comes to funding local or regional projects, we need local partners to do their part to meet the program stipulations. The $9 billion in support that has come from the Trump administration highlights that the investment in New York infrastructure is not a partisan one. K. Jane Williams, acting administrator

Federal Transit Administration

Boot strappers

Buffalo: I read the article “Trump restrictions on immigrants who use public benefits OK’d by conservatives on Supreme Court” (Jan. 27). What struck me were the comments about Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli. It stated Cuccinelli’s grandparents were “dirt poor Italian immigrants who likely would have been excluded” immigrants under the administration’s policy, which he is promoting and which was upheld by the Supreme Court. My grandparents, like Cuccinelli’s grandparents, were “dirt poor Italian immigrants.” They also would have been excluded under this policy. One important factor which was overlooked: There were no government programs such as food stamps, housing vouchers or Medicaid when my grandparents and Cuccinelli’s grandparents came to this country. They

made it on sheer determination, hard work and family support — no handouts or government programs of any kind! Try not to “editorialize” when writing factual articles in the future. Carmen Gentile

Football faux pas

Woodland Park, N.J.: I feel it’s a total disgrace and a dishonor towards our country for anyone (unless that person is someone with a disability) to sit during the national anthem! Beyonce and Jay-Z are total narcissists who care about nothing but themselves! We are so lucky to live in the great U.S.A. so let’s honor our flag and our country! Jacqueline Loconsolo

Role model

Staten Island: Democrats, take a lesson from the San Francisco 49ers. Congratulate the winners, be gracious in defeat and work hard to win the next Super Bowl…or election.

Rolly A. Lessin

Speaking up

Bayside: Thank you for your editorial, “Hear from Bolton” (Jan. 31). I was sickened to hear on the news that the vote to call witnesses in the Trump impeachment trial was defeated in the Senate. It is shameful that the only Republican senators willing to buck Donald Trump and his slimy legal team were Mitt Romney and Susan Collins. Not letting John Bolton and other key witnesses be heard is a disgrace to our justice system. I fear we are on the road to a dictatorship in the United States. I just hope and pray that Trump will be defeated in the 2020 presidential election in November. Thanks again for the courage you showed, Daily News Editorial Board.

Mark Donnelly

Safety measures

Saratoga Springs, N.Y.: The families of the Oct. 6, 2018 Schoharie limousine tragedy are very grateful that Gov. Cuomo has signed into law the limousine safety legislation proposed and passed by the New York State Senate and Assembly. This law is a necessary first step to address significant safety deficiencies within this industry here in New York State. Behind this effort were moms and dads (such as myself, the father of Patrick Cushing, who died in the crash), sisters and brothers, grandmoms and granddads, wives and grandchildren. Also, thanks to our communities that literally held us in their arms, and in their thoughts and prayers over these past 17 months. This safety legislation is a fitting legacy for all those who perished that day as well as the first responders. Lastly, we stand committed to work with our federal lawmakers to pass federal legislation that will help ensure limousine safety becomes the national norm.

Missing comic

Oceanside, L.I.: I used to enjoy “The Family Circus” comic that appeared daily in your paper. What happened to it? Chris Viola-Weiss

Road rage

Kevin Cushing

Manhattan: Re Controller Scott Stringer’s op-ed, “A better future for the BQE” (Jan 29): While I am all for creating more green space in our city, the elitist dream of abolishing cars and parking is unrealistic. This war on “car culture” goes against the will of the populace and seems like an attack on our freedom.

LIZ LYNCH FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS What would these elites have us do in the summer heat or cold of winter? Ride bikes and skateboards? I don’t think so.

Nick Gatsoulis

Whose streets?

Syracuse: Enough! A mob swarms Grand Central Terminal, denouncing turnstilejumping arrests and “overpolicing.” Fares must go, they demand, and others must pay for those free rides. Any disagreement with that is “racist.” Remarkably, only a few protesters were arrested, presumably soon to be released without bail. This is the path to total societal collapse. It cannot be allowed to prevail. Richard D. Wilkins

MTA’s hygiene

Maplewood, N.J.: I would like to ask the MTA why they think it is okay not to clean their subway stations and never clean the trains. I see the same stains on trains I’ve ridden frequently for years! The outside of the trains are cleaner than the inside, but if you bump up against the outside of one, that suit is going to the cleaners. The MTA and the governor don’t respect the riders who would like a clean and safe environment to go to work and go home. Gotham is grimy.

Alfred Curtis