NYC-WTC_000230624

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

THE NEW York times, Thursday, September 27, 2001

State Seeks to Play a Role \In the Reconstruction Effort By RICHARD PEREZ-PENA I f Officials in Albany and Washing- But the federal government is like­ city, state and federal commission ' ton say that the effort to rebuild after ly to provide most of the money to I that would decide how to dole out the destruction of the World Trade help businesses and individuals re­ J money, and perhaps even what to Center will be controlled primarily cover economically— it has commit­ J build. Some said they expected Mr. by the state and federal govern­ ted $20 billion, compared to $500 mil- ' Pataki to push the Port Authority to ments. not the city, although they lion from the state — and it might concede that as yet, they have little become a major contributor to the ! take the lead role in reconstruction, idea what that effort would look like reconstruction of the trade center. which would bypass the Legislature or how it would he managed. site itself. Under those circum­ — a contention the governor’s aides In the two weeks since the attack. stances, members of Congress would not confirm or deny, much attention has been focused on . warned, it is hard to imagine that State officials have been full of the city’s recovery efforts. The only they would not also have a direct role ! praise for Mr. Giuliani’s handling of specific step toward rebuilding came in deciding how the money is spent. I the rescue and cleanup efforts, and from Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and “Obviously, if there are federal ■ , Mr. Schumer lauded both the mayor City Council Speaker Peter F, Val- dollars involved, then we will have a I and the governor All sides are loathe lone, who have said they will create a voice,” said senator Charles E. Schu- to be seen as turning a tragedy into a reconstruction cornmission, and Mr. power struggle, but all appear, to one Giuliani's name has often been men­ mar. "To make this work, you have degree or another, to expect one. tioned to head that panel. But state to have the federal, state and city "This is going to be a fight,” said a and federal officials say there is little . governments on board.” -- member of Congress from New York that a city-only effort can accom­ Mr. Pataki deflected questions plish. ' City. “If we’re lucky, it’ll be a quiet about whether the state would take "It is not realistic,” said Senator the lead role in reconstruction. one and a quick one.” Joseph L. Bruno, a Republican and “We've had a tremendous relation­ On Monday, Mr. Silver took 70 the Senate majority leader. "The ship at all three levels, federal, state Assembly members on a tour of the city will do whatever they feel is and city,” he said. “And as we go site, which lies in his district, and Mr, appropriate, but they’re going to forward with reconstruction, we Bruno has since taken 20 senators have to deal with the state. The state should have all three elements, fed­ there. Both said they wanted to pre­ is going to have to have prime re­ eral, state and city, pulling together. pare their colleagues for the enormi­ sponsibility.” working together, in a cooperative ty of the task to which they will be ‘ “The city can’t do what's needed teamwork, and I’m confident that’ll asked to devote billions of dollars. on its own,” said Assembly Speaker happen.” "No picture, no television picture, Sheldon Silver, a Democrat. "I think The governor’s top aides were can give them the extent of it and there has to be a global redevelop­ more direct. “Look, others are going impress upon them what it is they’re ment authority that goes well beyond to be Involved,” one said. "It’s going ' just the jurisdiction of the city.” a part of,” Mr. Silver said. to take Washington and It’s going to State officials in particular are de­ take City Hall. But this is going to be termined that they will lead what could become the largest public mostly our job." New Jersey, as a w'orks project ol its time, and they partner in the Port Authority, is like­ tick off a long list of reasons. The ly to have a role as well, he said. trade center site is owned by the Port Mr. Bruno and some advisers to Authority of New York and New Jer­ the governor predicted that Mr. Pa­ sey, which is controEed by the gover­ taki, both in his official role and as nors of the two states; much of the New York’s main liaison to the Bush nearby damaged property belongs to administration, will inevitably play two state agencies, the Battery Park the central role. City Authority and the Metropolitan Several members of Congress and Transportation Authority; and much the state Legislature said that a pos­ of the promised federal aid is likely sible mechanism for rebuilding is a to be tunneled through Albany. They also note that the city needs . permission from the Legislature and j Gov. George E. Pataki to take major The trade center financial steps like selling billions of dollars in bonds or imposing or cut- disaster may be too I ting taxes. In the first days after the ' attack, Mr. Vallone and Mr. Giuliani turned to Albany for a $2.5 billion big for the city to increase in the city’s borrowing au- I thority, which the state granted. The . handle. state also has broad power to alter , city laws, over objections from City Hall.

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NYC-WTC_000230624