News

NEW YORK, NY November 08, 2005 —Also on the ballot today are two statewide questions, giving New Yorkers a say on transportation funding and the state budget. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more.

REPORTER: Elected officials and transit advocates have been rallying behind Proposition 2. The Transportation bond act would authorize the state to borrow $2.9 billion for subways, commuter trains, highways, and mega projects including the Second Avenue Subway. Some fiscal watchdogs say the state can't afford so much borrowing. But Brooklyn Congressman Major Owens says transportation is worth it.

OWENS: There's one place on the ballot you can be non partisan, we want republicans and democrats and that one place to be together everybody needs transportation vote yes on proposition 2.

REPORTER: There is much less unity behind Proposition 1 - which would give the state legislature more power over the budget. Attorney General Elliot Spitzer and Governor Pataki claim it would encourage lawmakers to spend more money on pork barrel projects. But legislators and some good government groups say it will encourage more openness.