Over the last two New York State Budgets, Assemblyman Hevesi has secured $6 million through funding allocations to upgrade antiquated and environmentally harmful freight locomotive engines that run in the district and throughout the state. The Assemblyman has continued to receive crucial and important updates about the progress of these initiatives to ensure the administration of this project remains a top priority. Assemblyman Hevesi is looking forward to continuing the pursuit of clean rail initiatives, making it a focal point on his agenda during the 2015 legislative session.

One of the first pieces of legislation Assemblyman Hevesi authored as Chair of the Oversight, Analysis and Investigation Committee passed both the Assembly and Senate in the last year’s session. Last month, the Governor of New York signed this legislation into law. Assembly Bill A.7187 repeals reporting requirements and several other provisions pertaining to the Board of Railroad Commissioners and its related proceedings. This bill is the first change in law emerging from an ongoing legislative initiative that is specifically aimed at making government more efficient. The New York State Assembly Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigation, in coordination with other standing committees, is undertaking a comprehensive review of tens of thousands of reporting requirements currently written into every area of New York State law. The purpose of this extensive review is to enhance government effectiveness. This new statute is the first in what is projected to be a very long series of repeal bills that address these superfluous sections of law.