Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Andrew Cuomo

Dear Gov. Cuomo: Larry Penner Has Something to Say

Andrew Cuomo Photo: Flickr/NYS Governor’s Office

Anyone who has spent any time in community journalism in New York City has encountered Larry Penner — the most prolific letter writer since Alexander Hamilton. Penner writes mostly on government administration and political topics. And when you get a "Penner-gram," as we always called them, you have only one choice: Run that baby.

Larry_Penner
Larry Penner

To the editor,

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's overnight tour of the Canarsie L line tunnel was just another in a series of publicity stunts. As usual, he brings no additional funding to pay for the obvious, but his shrill voice.

Why has it taken the MTA NYC Transit seven years after Superstorm Sandy to begin work on the L tunnel, scheduled to start in April, 2019? What guarantee is there that work will be completed within 15 months by June, 2020, or eight years after the initial damage? How many years has the MTA been unable to spend hundreds of millions in previously approved Federal Transit Administration Superstorm Sandy Recovery and Resiliency Grant Funds to pay for this work?

Why does Cuomo continuously ignore Federal Rail Road Administration safety requirements by not wearing mandated orange protective vests just like all other MTA employees when touring active track areas?

The MTA has an army of experienced engineers and engineering consultant firms. Why does Cuomo second guess his own MTA Senior Management team by bringing in his own transportation experts? Who paid for this additional layer of bureaucracy?

Sincerely,

Larry Penner

Penner is a transportation historian, advocate and writer who previously worked 31 years for the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration Region 2 NY Office.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

DOT Proposing A 14th Street-Style Busway For 34th Street

It's the sequel you've been waiting for. Here's hoping Mayor Adams delivers, said one activist.

May 19, 2025

Sohn in Albany: State Bill to Force Drivers to Pass Safely Stalls

Apparently, New York City is just too unsafe for legislation forbidding drivers to pass cyclists too closely.

May 19, 2025

Car Harms Monday: Machines Took Over Cities and Left Humans in the Dust

There isn't enough physical space for every single household to store its fleet of personal vehicles in front of the home, nor is there space for everyone to drive at the same time. So let's fix that.

May 19, 2025

A Valuable History Lesson for Jessica Tisch: ‘The Rules of the Road’ Were Written for Cars

Hey, Commissioner, listen to this historian: When rules recognize reality, suiting the distinct needs of categorically different users, everybody wins.

May 19, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: ‘Hey, Sean, We’re Walking Here’ Edition

The federal Transportation secretary once again shows how little he knows about urban transportation. Plus other news.

May 19, 2025
See all posts