Gov. Cuomo’s new budget proposal would put the city on the hook for 50% of the funding to address not only the current subway crisis but any future ones.

Language tucked into Cuomo’s budget plan would give the city 60 days after a declared transit emergency to appropriate an identical sum committed by the state to fund “the capital costs of repairs and construction deemed essential to ensure the continued safe and effective operation of such transit facilities.”


Some saw the language as a threat that Cuomo could seek to have the city pay for all future subway capital costs in non-emergency situations.

“The executive budget asserts the responsibility for funding New York City subway and bus capital improvements should rest solely with the City of New York, which would require a sevenfold increase in City capital contributions,” said Carol Kellerman, president of the Citizens Budget Commission.