Assemblyman Zebrowski: NY's C- for infrastructure disappointing, but not inaccurate

It’s report card day, and the White House gave New York a C- grade for infrastructure.

News 12 Staff

Apr 13, 2021, 2:22 AM

Updated 1,353 days ago

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It’s report card day, and the White House gave New York a C- grade for infrastructure.
If you talk to anyone who’s ever taken the bus around Westchester, chances are you’ll hear a fair share of complaints about how long it takes to wait or travel.
And on a rainy day when there’s no shelter at the bus stop or bench to sit on, commuting is even harder.
“If we could figure out a way to get west of the Hudson commuters an easier commute throughout the region - not just to New York City but maybe over to Westchester as well, that would be a real game-changer for all of our residents," says Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, of the 96th District.
For Zebrowski, who represents parts of Rockland County, New York’s C- grade for infrastructure is disappointing, but not inaccurate.
He says the biggest issue holding back the Hudson Valley is a lack of public transit.
“If you could solve that problem, although it would cost money, the amount of investments and revenue it will generate for generations to come, I think is incalculable," he says.
Part of President Biden’s new $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan proposes $85 billion to modernize public transit and $115 billion to repair roads and bridges.
In addition, Biden wants to invest $300 billion into manufacturing, with a focus on clean energy jobs.
"To invest money into areas to grow jobs—that helps everybody but particularly that have high unemployment rates," says Zebrowski.
The plan also includes $400 billion to help people find caregivers for the elderly and for their children.
“People don’t think about it sometimes but are real barriers for folks getting into the workforce and back into the workforce," he says.
Also in the American Jobs Plan:
-$200 billion to create affordable housing
-$50 billion to improve equipment for extreme weather like Tropical Storm Isaias
-$100 billion to give every family affordable Internet, which was an issue recently when people needed to sign up for vaccine appointments online.