Dr. Frans VerHagen of the Queens Green Party who supports the Act, claimed that "debt is okay for a good cause." Dr. VerHagen stressed that important environmental projects would be funded, such as converting diesel-fuel buses to natural gas, eliminating coal-burning furnaces in schools, and rehabilitating harbors and estuaries.
"We must keep a vigilant watch," VerHagen said, "by following project authorizations by the Assembly and the Senate," to assure that the money is spent properly.
Clean Air Campaign executive director Marcy Benstock, known for her successful long-term struggle against the Westway project along the Hudson River, spoke against the Act, saying that it "lacked any substantial commitment to specific projects... therefore, funding was likely to be misspent." Benstock also cited development projects, like Queens West, as projects that would be eligible for funds.
Preferring a pay-as-you-go approach, Ms. Benstock said "New York State has the highest debt, and is tied with Lousiana for the worst credit rating." The taxpayer will end up owing more than $1.3 billion in interest over the life of the bonds. Benstock also claimed that $865 million is available through bonds already issued, which have yet to be tapped.
"Many financial contributions" made during fundraising for a media blitz, "were made from two areas that will gain millions, the real estate and the construction industries." Many environmental groups supporting the Act and who assisted with the fundraising efforts "went to Albany" Benstock says, "to make special deals in closed-door meetings."
Coalition Steering Committee member Eedie Cuminale said that, "If the State and the Federal government approved Queens West, the government has no real interest in the environment!"
According to Benstock a Federal suit has been filed challenging the consitutionality of the Bond Act.
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Last Update: Dec 1996