Report: Pataki wants to use Sept. 11 aid for rail link

[Khephra]

NEW YORK (AP) _ Gov. George Pataki has reportedly asked the federal government to spend about $2 billion in unused Sept. 11 aid on a rail link to connect the World Trade Center site to the Long Island Rail Road and Kennedy International Airport.

The link would "help re-attract tens of thousands of jobs lost after September 11th and will result in growth across the metropolitan region," Pataki wrote in a letter sent to President Bush on Monday, according to The New York Times.

The money would come from a $5 billion fund, known as the Liberty Zone package, to encourage development in Lower Manhattan, the Times reported Wednesday, citing Pataki aides.

Claire Buchan, a White House spokeswoman, said the Bush administration was "receptive" to the proposal.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny--attacks-federalai0630jun29,0,6926359.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

[THUNDER HANDS]

1. gee

Lets see, we could give this money directly to businesses...or maybe as some compensation to medical personnel who became sick walking around in the contaminated fumes after 911....

or

We could build a train line totally unconnected with the events of 911.

Why doesn't Pataki's choice shock me.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. Poor upper East Siders will NEVER see the 2nd Ave. Subway

Thanks to all this nonsense and pork.
The number 7 line extension/Olympics 2012/Jets Stadium extravaganza is also sucking up all the money.
Bad planning all around. Pure politics.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. Any one miss the part about 9/11 funding

being EMERGENCY funding? :eyes:

[johnfunk]

4. Misappropriation of funds

About time some elected NY Democrats start complaining and complaining LOUD.

[gatlingforme]

5. I agree, misappropriation of funds is fundamental to the Republicans

I would think also that more Dems would be interested in this type of official misconduct.

[Neshanic]

6. If Port Authority related, New Jersey will veto it.