April
13, 2005 Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes
Attendees
John Armstrong, Corning, Incorporated
Fred Buse, Schwartz Heslin
Peter Cohen, Amtrak
John Casellini, CSX
Sid David, Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems
Bob Doyle, Golub Corporation
Dick Dunne, Northrop Grumman Corporation
Terry Everetts, Dresser-Rand
Company
Bill Hollister, Amtrak
Jessica Hulsman, Northeast Solite Corp.
Linda Liszewski, Eastman Kodak
Dennis McGlin, UPS
Norman Schneider, Griffin Plummer Associates/Railroads
of NY
Steve Stallmer, AGC
Richard Stack, Albany Port Railroad Corp.
John Tauzel, New York Farm Bureau
Meeting Minutes
April 13, 2005,
1:30 - 4:00 PM
Call to Order & Welcome
Ed Reinfurt
Vice-President,
The Business Council
Ed gave an overview of the recent budget process,
results and issues of importance to The Business Council. He focused on the
issue of Medicare and described to the group the "rallies" that had been
held across the state to generate interest in the topic.
The packet contained a chart outlining the major categories of the 2005-10 five year non-MTA transportation capital plan of $17.9 billion that was agreed to as
part of the budget discussions, and compares them with the actual spending for the 2000-05 five year capital plan period.
The five year capital plan also contains plans for a $2.9 billion bond proposal to be voted by the general public in November. If approved. The bond will be
split between MTA and highway/bridge/multi-modal projects. The Business Council supported the last bond proposal. The Transportation Committee will take
input from committee members on specific projects and pass them along for inclusion in the final list agreed upon. After the Memo of Understanding is
prepared among the Legislative leaders, we will meet again to review it and determine the level of support among committee members. This determination will
be passed along to The Business Council's Board of Directors as they determine the Council's formal position.
Lastly, Ed discussed the Thruway Authority's toll increase proposal and the rationale behind The Business Council's draft response contained in the packet.
Several additional points were made by meeting attendees to be included in the final statement which was sent to the Thruway Authority. Here is a link to The
Business Council's statement in opposition to the proposed toll increases.
Sid David
Manager, Business Development of Homeland Security
Northrop
Grumman Integrated Systems
Sid made a PP presentation to the group
zeroing in on homeland security as a broad issue and included some aspects
of transportation modes throughout the state. He reviewed the new Business
Council Homeland Security Council and NG's involvement with it. He showed
broad national budget numbers as well as detailed line item program appropriations.
He described the emerging organizational structures on both the federal and
state levels and commented on his own participation on the local task force
for the Counter terrorism Zone in Westchester. He also gave a broad overview
of marketing opportunities for businesses in this emerging new area. Sid's
remarks prompted a good discussion of individual security concerns and applications
from the different industries represented in the room.
Dave Austin
Senate Transportation Committee Clerk & Deputy Director of Legislation
for Senator Tom Libous
He and Senator Libous are new at the helm of
the Transportation Committee and Dave related to us the challenges of dealing
with the budget committee hearing and activities as well as the work on the
2005-10 five year transportation capital plan.
In discussing the bond act, he reminded the group that it will be split between MTA uses and highway & bridge projects. The members of the Legislature agree
that they must move this issue along in the minds of the taxpayers to prevent a down vote such as we saw in 2000. He indicated that Senator Libous wants to
link the I-86 project with the bond act and will be aggressive in promoting it. Dave discussed other projects that might be linked to it. He stated that a
successful bond act will have (1) specific projects designated and (2) active campaigning by political leaders and others supporting the bond.The MOU is due
June 1st and will result from discussions among the three leaders.
A number of comments were made regarding the conduct of the budget committees and the level of transportation funding agreed upon in the final budget.
Steve Stallmer
Associated General Contractors
Steve brought the group up to date on
the discussions in Washington concerning the national transportation reauthorization.
The House is done. They are in agreement with the White House. $284 billion is the number and the formula would remain the same. Steve estimated that New
York State would see a 24% increase over the 5 year life of the bill. The Senate is still at $318 billion and would change the formula to New York's
disadvantage. Steve suggested that they will work the details in April and May with the hope of getting it done in June.
Next Meeting: We discussed having the next meeting after the bond MOU is issued. We would use part of the meeting to discuss it and get a consensus from
the group to pass along to the Business Council Board of Directors.
Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 15, 2005. The meeting will run from 1:00 PM to 4 PM at The Business Council's Corporate Woods office.
