NEW YORK — The governors of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have reached agreement on the distribution of federal pandemic relief funding for public transit, resolving an issue that had dragged on for several months.
Govs. Kathy Hochul of New York, Phil Murphy of New Jersey and Ned Lamont of Connecticut announced the agreement Tuesday, determining through negotiations that New York will receive $10.85 billion, New Jersey $2.66 billion, and Connecticut $474 million.
Murphy had asked U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to mediate the dispute in August [see “New Jersey governor seeks Buttigieg’s help …,” Trains News Wire, Aug. 16, 2021].
“As a result of a series of productive conversations with my fellow governors,” Hochul said in a press release, “I’m glad that we have reached an agreement that is beneficial to all.”
New Jersey had sought about $3.6 billion, NJBiz.com reports. But a spokesman for Murphy said the state would pursue that money through other sources. “We are utilizing every pathway granted to us by Congress to achieve that goal,” spokesman Dan Bryan wrote in an email. “Cumulatively, this $3.5 billion will support operating revenues impacted by the pandemic and ensure New Jerseyans get the reliable, safe community experience they deserve.”
