WTC Records Folder 0140 label, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

GOVERNOR PATAKI PROPOSES "REBUILD NY-RENEW AMERICA" PLAN TO HE.. Page 5 of 7

Government will continue to allow workers ineligible for State UI benefits to apply for benefits under the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program, which provides benefits to self- employed individuals, spouses who have lost the major supporter for a household, and others.

Welfare-to-Work Funding: Efforts should be made to further streamline the Federal requirements governing individual recipient eligibility in the Welfare-to-Work Block Grant. In light of the events of September 11th, New York would like to access its share of this funding as a true block grant, by using the funds to provide employment services to whoever is in need of assistance, without regard to the eligibility restrictions that currently remain in the Federal law.

Enhancing New York's Transportation Infrastructure and Safety

New York's transportation infrastructure programs present an opportunity to immediately stimulate the economy, create good paying jobs and spur development. The State's transportation agencies, such as the Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Thruway Authority are positioned to begin additional projects quickly, thus maximizing the use of Federal assistance by immediately cycling this funding through the economy.

The Federal Highway Administration has indicated that each $1 billion of transportation investment creates 42,000 jobs. These projects will also provide added long-term benefits by improving access to businesses and industrial facilities. Major transportation projects have, historically, laid the foundation for expanding residential and commercial development and the growth of jobs.

New York would use its share of the new Federal funding to advance projects that will fuel a new economic vitality, create jobs and build quality communities. Specifically, this could include the following initiatives:

Accelerate portions of the MTA 2000-2004 capital program, including track improvements, station rehabilitations, rolling stock acquisition, signal modernization and safety enhancements;

Fund a new multimodal Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH) terminal to improve commuter access to lower Manhattan;

Fund completion of the final design and ready-to-go construction phases of the East Side Access project that will link the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan and free up capacity in the existing Penn Station for Amtrak or other commuter services;

Accelerate preliminary engineering for the Second Avenue Subway that will relieve severe subway congestion on Manhattan's East Side and improve access to lower Manhattan;

Assist statewide transit operators with timely replacement of their bus fleets, providing buses to improve reliability, reduce maintenance costs and maintain ridership;

Accelerate the State's 5-year capital program, including paving, bridge rehabilitation, industrial access, and intelligent technology projects;

Accelerate rehabilitation and construction of highway bridges owned by local governments;

Modernize infrastructure and improve security for border crossings between the United States and

http://a.www.state.ny.us/governor/press/yearO I /oct9_ l _01.htm 10/11/01 NYC-WTC 000136741