It has been five years since the Cuomo administration sought approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) to install promotional “I Love NY” signs along major roadways across the state. The request was denied, but Gov. Cuomo and his administration ignored the FHA and put up more than 500 signs in a display of arrogance. If they aren’t removed by Sept. 30, New York stands to lose $14 million in federal highway funds. At a time when our infrastructure was recently ranked among the nation’s worst, that timeline couldn’t be more ominous.

State’s infrastructure among worst in U.S.

 CNBC recently released a study ranking the nation’s infrastructure, highlighting the 10 worst states. New York came in at No. 7. The study, giving the state a “D” grade, looked at the percentage of roads in poor or mediocre condition, the percentage of deficient bridges, commute times, and funding required to upgrade the water system over the next 20 years. Out of a total 400 points, New York could only muster 158, ranking it behind only Mississippi, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.

 This is a massive issue that will carry an enormous price tag to properly address. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released a report last fall indicating local governments need $27.4 billion in bridge repairs. I’ve said it before: without safe and efficient ways to transport goods and resources, our economy will crumble, literally, from the ground up. Every infrastructure dollar matters. But those dollars don’t seem to matter nearly enough to the governor.

Illegal signs come at taxpayers’ expense

 The illegal, unnecessary highway signs cost taxpayers more than $8 million to create and install. If the signs don’t come down, the Cuomo administration will have wasted more than $22 million.

 Gov. Cuomo recently directed the MTA to spend upward of $30 million to re-tile two subway tunnels in blue and gold. In addition, about 3,500 orange lane dividers in two tunnels were replaced with blue-and-gold pylons, which don’t comply with federal guidelines yet cost $253,000 to install. Let’s not forget the proposed decorative light projects for MTA bridges and tunnels that carry cost estimates in excess of $200 million.

 At a time when every dollar of funding is critical, the governor’s devotion to irresponsible pet projects screams government waste and turns a blind eye to the needs of New York’s motorists, businesses, and visitors.

 We must make immediate upgrades to our failing infrastructure, but we need adequate funding to do so. With some of the oldest infrastructure in the nation, we must identify and develop solutions to help build a transportation system that our communities, motorists, and taxpayers deserve.         

Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C–Canandaigua), a former small-business owner, is the New York Assembly Minority Leader and represents the 131st Assembly District, which encompasses all of Ontario County and parts of Seneca County. Contact him at kolbb@nyassembly.gov

In my mind, one of the most selfless things a person can do is to be a living organ donor. In order to give the gift of life to another, a living organ donor not only sacrifices a part of his or her body for another, but also endures the necessary medical procedure, the healing, and other hardships. While many have undertaken this incredibly generous act, we still have huge gap between those awaiting an organ or tissue transplant and the organs and tissues available for transplant.

Every year, in New York state, about 1,000 people agree to donate tissues and organs. People give bone marrow, kidneys, a lung, or part of their liver so someone else can live. The most common transplant is the kidney transplant. Most living donations happen among family members or between close friends but, at times, others donate to complete strangers. Whatever the case, the decision to be a living donor is a personal one. Donating is selfless, and studies have shown that living donors live just as long as people who never donate. However, it is naïve to not recognize that living donors can face medical, financial, and emotional risks as a result of being a donor. For this reason, I was pleased that this year the New York Legislature passed the Living Donor Protection Act and I am hopeful that the governor signs this legislation so that it becomes law.

The Living Donor Protection Act, if it becomes law, will, among other things, (a) direct the state health commissioner to provide public health outreach and education to help the public understand the benefits and risks of being a living donor and (b) provide some financial security by ensuring that those who choose to give the gift of life are protected from insurance discrimination. This legislation will build on what we already do in New York to encourage donation. For instance, New York, similar to 15 other states, gives living donors an income-tax deduction of up to $10,000 to help offset the costs of travel, lodging, and lost wages resulting from organ donation.

As far as insurance discrimination, the Living Donor Protection Act, will prohibit insurers from charging more or canceling an insured’s health, accident, or life-insurance policy based solely on the insured’s status as a living donor. The act also would prohibit insurers from precluding an insured person from being a living donor as a condition of receiving life, accident, or health-insurance coverage. In all, if a person is altruistic enough to provide life to another, the last thing she should be worried about is having her insurance canceled as a result of this generous act.

I hope that these steps, while minor in comparison to the sacrifice that a living donor willingly makes, will encourage more people to consider being a living donor. If you would like to learn more about being a living donor, please visit https://www.organdonor.gov/about/process/living-donation.html.                       

William (Will) A. Barclay is the Republican representative of the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses most of Oswego County, including the cities of Oswego and Fulton, as well as the town of Lysander in Onondaga County and town of Ellisburg in Jefferson County. Contact him at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us or (315) 598-5185.