Press release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today criticized Gov. Cuomo’s moratorium of roadwork done by private contractors during the Independence Day weekend. The governor announced in a press release last week that private contractors working on state roads and highways would have to cease work and remove equipment not behind a permanent barrier starting July 3 at 6 a.m. until July 5 at 10 p.m.
“I certainly understand the need to make last weekend’s travels as convenient as possible for motorists but it is unfair and burdensome to small businesses to ban them from making a profit for three days,” Hawley said. “This added a large cost to local businesses by denying a potential three days of work and mandating that equipment be moved without reimbursement from the state. Gov. Cuomo should not be penalizing the private sector for a bad traffic experience he had during a holiday weekend several years ago.
"This is another example of how Downstate issues are projected throughout the state and inconvenience those in Western New York who are only marginally affected. If we are truly open for business, we should keep our actions consistent with our words and stop burdening small businesses trying to survive.”
Rather, this is another
Rather, this is another example of how Cuomo rules NYS as a tyrant. Why did Assemblyman Hawley wait until after the fact to speak out? Why wasn't there a large group of legislators screaming about this as soon as Cuomo announced it?? Why are our "elected representatives" seemingly powerless to reign in this Governor from running the show unilaterally???
Hopefully Prete Bharara will do something about how Cuomo conducts business!
While I can understand what
While I can understand what Mr. Hawley is saying about the construction companies losing money by the shut down (unless they have something in their contract that addresses that), I was very happy driving the I 90 and I 190 without construction on the 4th of July. Traffic was heavy enough without it.
I also hope Brian is right about the Federal Prosecutor
Aren't those jobs BID on ?
Aren't those jobs BID on ? So the contracted company already is gonna GET their allotted money anyways, when the job gets done, I would think.
As if there was going to be
As if there was going to be much construction going on anyway. We don't see work crews on normal weekends. Are we supposed to believe that there would be work crews on the holiday weekend?
Much ado about nothing. But hey, both sides got some press coverage, so they have that going for them.
I think this is one instance
I think this is one instance when Mr. Hawley just needed to shut the heck up.
Holiday weekends have greatly increased traffic, and driving through work zones is inherently dangerous to the workers and drivers. Clearing the roads of unnecessary obstructions was NOT unreasonable.
Irene - they're bid jobs yes,
Irene - they're bid jobs yes, but forcing them to not work puts them behind schedule, lengthening the time that they could start a new job. Not to mention, the laborers only get paid when they're working, so individuals lost out on wages...possibly time and a half or double time for working on a holiday.