New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) unveiled a fiscal 2021 state budget Jan. 22, touting $25 billion in new infrastructure investment that will raise—to a “nation-leading” $275 billion—the state’s total of current and future spending, with an “aggressive” $33-billion program over five years to combat climate change and boost construction resilience, he said. But the expanded program starting in the fiscal year that begins April 1 comes amid tumult in the state’s leading transportation infrastructure agency, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), with the sudden departure of New York City’s popular subways chief and friction with the governor.
The centerpiece of Cuomo’s climate change program is the $3-billion Restore Mother Nature Bond Act, which will fund a push to reduce flood risk in the state, invest in resilient infrastructure and in projects to restore fish and wildlife habitats, tidal and freshwater wetlands, and reclaimed natural floodplains. No specific projects were identified, but if New York lawmakers pass the funding proposal before the fiscal year starts, it will go onto state ballots in November.