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Amtrak to take over finishing renovations of Penn Station
The long-awaited $7 billion renovation and potential expansion of Penn Station will be overseen by Amtrak after the U.S. Department of Transportation announced last evening the project would be taken out of the hands of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Robert Brodsky reports in NEWSDAY that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said shifting the project from the MTA to Amtrak, which owns the 114-year-old Penn Station, would save taxpayers approximately $120 million.
"President Trump has made it clear: the days of reckless spending and blank checks are over," Duffy said in a statement. "New York City deserves a Penn Station that reflects America’s greatness and is safe and clean. The MTA’s history of inefficiency, waste, and mismanagement also meant that a new approach is needed."
Amtrak has been pushing a plan to expand Penn Station, potentially by acquiring the block south of it and building new tracks underground.
It was not immediately clear how the Trump administration envisions a new Penn Station or which, if any, of several competing ideas for a station expansion and overhaul it would support.
In a statement, Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has been feuding with the Trump administration over the congestion pricing program launched in January, fashioned the change as a policy victory for the state, which would reduce its own investment into the project.
"In multiple meetings with President Trump, I requested that the federal government fund the long-overdue overhaul of Penn Station," Hochul said. "Clearly that effort has been successful, and I want to thank the President and Secretary Duffy for taking on the sole responsibility to deliver the beautiful new $7 billion station that New Yorkers deserve. This is a major victory for New Yorkers, and the use of federal funds will save New York taxpayers $1.3 billion dollars that would have otherwise been necessary for this project."
MTA chairman and CEO Janno Lieber in a statement said he's glad the federal government is prioritizing the reconstruction of Penn Station but insists the city's transit agency should continue to play a role moving forward.
"Over a hundred million MTA customers — two-thirds of Penn Station’s total ridership — use the facility every year," Lieber said. "As the major leaseholder in the station, we expect to participate in the administration’s and Amtrak’s efforts to ensure future plans meet the needs of everyone who uses it."
***
Rep. Nick LaLota of the 1st Congressional District…which includes the East End…, Rep. Andrew Garbarino of the 2nd Congressional District…also in Suffolk County… and 10 other House Republicans wrote to their leadership Wednesday to express support for Medicaid and object to steep cuts in funding for the healthcare program that serves nearly 80 million lower-income Americans.
“Balancing the federal budget must not come at the expense of those who depend on these benefits for their health and economic security. We cannot and will not support a final reconciliation bill that includes any reduction in Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations,” per the letter from these dozen House Republicans.
Denise Civiletti reports on Riverheadlocal.com that earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved a budget framework bill that could mean significant cuts to Medicaid. The bill instructed the House Energy & Commerce Committee (which has jurisdiction over Medicaid) to reduce the federal deficit by at least $880 billion over 10 years. Democrats argue that Medicaid is the only place where cuts at that level could be made. GOP leaders have said Medicaid will be reformed to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse, but will not be significantly cut.
On Wednesday, Congressman LaLota stated, “Medicaid is a vital safety net that provides health care to millions of low-income Americans, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities. I’m committed to responsible, compassionate reforms that protect the program for those who truly need it.”
LaLota said he and the 11 other Republican members who signed the letter are “calling on House GOP leadership to protect Medicaid coverage while pursuing common-sense reforms.” The “common sense reforms” include “work requirements for able-bodied adults, limiting benefits to legal residents, and increasing eligibility checks from every 12 months to every 6 months to help prevent fraud and abuse,” LaLota said.
The GOP holds a 220-213 majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, leaving the speaker with little wiggle room to pass controversial measures that face opposition from within his party.
***
Tomorrow morning, in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the battle at Lexington & Concord in Massachusetts, the Sons of the American Revolution will be here on the North Fork dedicating a plaque in honor of the ten Revolutionary War Veterans interred at the Cutchogue Old Burying Ground. This will be an early semi quincentennial event. There will be a brief history of the grounds, a speech by the Southold Town supervisor, and a roll call with a musket-fired salute by Revolutionary War Soldier reenactors for each veteran. Refreshments will be served. Presented by the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council and Museums.
That’s 11 am tomorrow at the Old Burying Ground, corner of Harbor Lane and Main Road in Cutchogue, U.S.A.
***
Only about five minutes into a pitch for plans to build a 68-unit hotel on the former Boardy Barn property on Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays, a member of the Hampton Bays Civic Association suggested a show of hands to get an early idea of whether residents of the hamlet thought the plans were something they liked the look of, at least at first blush.
A majority of the more than 100 people in the room raised their hands in approval — surprising even the hoteliers, who had brought only a conceptualized plan and a simple artist’s rendering of the modern hotel that they hope to be able to build.
Michael Wright reports on 27east.com that Robert Salvatico, whose family owns the Indigo Hotel and the Holiday Inn & Suites in Riverhead, said that the “Hamptons-style” hotel he and his partners plan to propose to the Town of Southampton in the near future would be a 3-star level facility, moderately priced — which is “not cheap” on summer weekends — with a restaurant and bar open to both guests and the public, possibly a pool, and 25 to 30 employees.
But Salvatico emphasized that the plans would be molded to fit what the community would support. “Our plan is a conceptual plan, so we’re here to hear from you — we want your input, your ideas,” he said.
Several folks put forth questions aimed at getting the hotelier to promise that the hotel would never become long-term housing, and that rooms would never be booked by state or county homeless or indigent housing programs, like other hotels in Hampton Bays have been.
The hotel representatives said in as many ways as they could come up with that such things were not in their business model.
Accepting public housing subsidies would “absolutely not” be in his group’s business plan, answered Salvatico. “Our plan is to run a first-class facility.”
Prompted by audience members at the March 31 meeting, he said the group would support community events and activities much like the Boardy Barn commonly did — something he said has been “a hallmark” of his family’s hotels in Riverhead — and would be open to discussing other community benefits the developers could offer Hampton Bays to help garner support.
“We don’t win if you don’t win,” Salvatico said.
***
A beach cleanup hosted by the North Fork Audubon Society is scheduled for tomorrow morning at Inlet Pond County Park on County Route 48 in Greenport. NFAS Board members Theresa Dilworth and Carol Edwards will be leading the charge, which includes a walk through the trails at the county park prior to the beach cleanup. Tomorrow’s event is from 10 a.m. to noon. For over 50 years now, NFAS has operated an almost entirely volunteer-based organization with a sole mission of connecting people with nature. Working in partnership with the Suffolk County Parks system, NFAS are stewards of the Roy Lathan Nature Center — the society’s headquarters — and host trail hikes, bird safety initiatives, and overall sustainable horticultural educational programs.
Further info and registration for tomorrow morning’s beach clean up here.
***
New Yorkers are still scrambling to make appointments to secure driver's licenses that comply with a federal law to board domestic flights beginning May 7. Michael Gormley reports in NEWSDAY that so far, 6.7 million New Yorkers have secured the REAL ID-compliant licenses, permits or nondriver IDs, said Walter McClure, spokesman for the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. That compares with 6.3 million holders of REAL ID-compliant licenses at the end of 2024.
A spot check by Newsday yesterday found few dates through July that were available for appointments with DMV to secure a REAL ID license, permit or nondriver ID or to upgrade their license to the more secure documents.
The licenses are required under the Real ID Act Congress passed in 2005, which requires states to provide licenses that meet higher levels of security for air travel and to enter government and nuclear facilities. Beginning in March, New York State expanded the hours and days that residents could choose to seek appointments to apply for the licenses. Applicants must provide several documents to apply. More slots are opening up daily and applicants are encouraged to keep checking the DMV online scheduler at https://public.nydmvreservation.com/.
New Yorkers who must travel by air beginning May 7 can still use their passport to board aircraft if they don’t have a REAL ID-compliant license, permit or nondriver ID. The state’s Enhanced Licenses also can be used for identification for air travel because they are REAL ID-compliant.
The federal REAL ID Law requires a deeper level of security and will be required to enter many federal buildings and facilities, such as military bases. Enhanced Licenses also meet those federal standards.
To review documents needed to prove identity and citizenship status, click here.
View all episodes
By WLIW-FMThe long-awaited $7 billion renovation and potential expansion of Penn Station will be overseen by Amtrak after the U.S. Department of Transportation announced last evening the project would be taken out of the hands of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Robert Brodsky reports in NEWSDAY that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said shifting the project from the MTA to Amtrak, which owns the 114-year-old Penn Station, would save taxpayers approximately $120 million.
"President Trump has made it clear: the days of reckless spending and blank checks are over," Duffy said in a statement. "New York City deserves a Penn Station that reflects America’s greatness and is safe and clean. The MTA’s history of inefficiency, waste, and mismanagement also meant that a new approach is needed."
Amtrak has been pushing a plan to expand Penn Station, potentially by acquiring the block south of it and building new tracks underground.
It was not immediately clear how the Trump administration envisions a new Penn Station or which, if any, of several competing ideas for a station expansion and overhaul it would support.
In a statement, Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has been feuding with the Trump administration over the congestion pricing program launched in January, fashioned the change as a policy victory for the state, which would reduce its own investment into the project.
"In multiple meetings with President Trump, I requested that the federal government fund the long-overdue overhaul of Penn Station," Hochul said. "Clearly that effort has been successful, and I want to thank the President and Secretary Duffy for taking on the sole responsibility to deliver the beautiful new $7 billion station that New Yorkers deserve. This is a major victory for New Yorkers, and the use of federal funds will save New York taxpayers $1.3 billion dollars that would have otherwise been necessary for this project."
MTA chairman and CEO Janno Lieber in a statement said he's glad the federal government is prioritizing the reconstruction of Penn Station but insists the city's transit agency should continue to play a role moving forward.
"Over a hundred million MTA customers — two-thirds of Penn Station’s total ridership — use the facility every year," Lieber said. "As the major leaseholder in the station, we expect to participate in the administration’s and Amtrak’s efforts to ensure future plans meet the needs of everyone who uses it."
***
Rep. Nick LaLota of the 1st Congressional District…which includes the East End…, Rep. Andrew Garbarino of the 2nd Congressional District…also in Suffolk County… and 10 other House Republicans wrote to their leadership Wednesday to express support for Medicaid and object to steep cuts in funding for the healthcare program that serves nearly 80 million lower-income Americans.
“Balancing the federal budget must not come at the expense of those who depend on these benefits for their health and economic security. We cannot and will not support a final reconciliation bill that includes any reduction in Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations,” per the letter from these dozen House Republicans.
Denise Civiletti reports on Riverheadlocal.com that earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved a budget framework bill that could mean significant cuts to Medicaid. The bill instructed the House Energy & Commerce Committee (which has jurisdiction over Medicaid) to reduce the federal deficit by at least $880 billion over 10 years. Democrats argue that Medicaid is the only place where cuts at that level could be made. GOP leaders have said Medicaid will be reformed to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse, but will not be significantly cut.
On Wednesday, Congressman LaLota stated, “Medicaid is a vital safety net that provides health care to millions of low-income Americans, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities. I’m committed to responsible, compassionate reforms that protect the program for those who truly need it.”
LaLota said he and the 11 other Republican members who signed the letter are “calling on House GOP leadership to protect Medicaid coverage while pursuing common-sense reforms.” The “common sense reforms” include “work requirements for able-bodied adults, limiting benefits to legal residents, and increasing eligibility checks from every 12 months to every 6 months to help prevent fraud and abuse,” LaLota said.
The GOP holds a 220-213 majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, leaving the speaker with little wiggle room to pass controversial measures that face opposition from within his party.
***
Tomorrow morning, in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the battle at Lexington & Concord in Massachusetts, the Sons of the American Revolution will be here on the North Fork dedicating a plaque in honor of the ten Revolutionary War Veterans interred at the Cutchogue Old Burying Ground. This will be an early semi quincentennial event. There will be a brief history of the grounds, a speech by the Southold Town supervisor, and a roll call with a musket-fired salute by Revolutionary War Soldier reenactors for each veteran. Refreshments will be served. Presented by the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council and Museums.
That’s 11 am tomorrow at the Old Burying Ground, corner of Harbor Lane and Main Road in Cutchogue, U.S.A.
***
Only about five minutes into a pitch for plans to build a 68-unit hotel on the former Boardy Barn property on Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays, a member of the Hampton Bays Civic Association suggested a show of hands to get an early idea of whether residents of the hamlet thought the plans were something they liked the look of, at least at first blush.
A majority of the more than 100 people in the room raised their hands in approval — surprising even the hoteliers, who had brought only a conceptualized plan and a simple artist’s rendering of the modern hotel that they hope to be able to build.
Michael Wright reports on 27east.com that Robert Salvatico, whose family owns the Indigo Hotel and the Holiday Inn & Suites in Riverhead, said that the “Hamptons-style” hotel he and his partners plan to propose to the Town of Southampton in the near future would be a 3-star level facility, moderately priced — which is “not cheap” on summer weekends — with a restaurant and bar open to both guests and the public, possibly a pool, and 25 to 30 employees.
But Salvatico emphasized that the plans would be molded to fit what the community would support. “Our plan is a conceptual plan, so we’re here to hear from you — we want your input, your ideas,” he said.
Several folks put forth questions aimed at getting the hotelier to promise that the hotel would never become long-term housing, and that rooms would never be booked by state or county homeless or indigent housing programs, like other hotels in Hampton Bays have been.
The hotel representatives said in as many ways as they could come up with that such things were not in their business model.
Accepting public housing subsidies would “absolutely not” be in his group’s business plan, answered Salvatico. “Our plan is to run a first-class facility.”
Prompted by audience members at the March 31 meeting, he said the group would support community events and activities much like the Boardy Barn commonly did — something he said has been “a hallmark” of his family’s hotels in Riverhead — and would be open to discussing other community benefits the developers could offer Hampton Bays to help garner support.
“We don’t win if you don’t win,” Salvatico said.
***
A beach cleanup hosted by the North Fork Audubon Society is scheduled for tomorrow morning at Inlet Pond County Park on County Route 48 in Greenport. NFAS Board members Theresa Dilworth and Carol Edwards will be leading the charge, which includes a walk through the trails at the county park prior to the beach cleanup. Tomorrow’s event is from 10 a.m. to noon. For over 50 years now, NFAS has operated an almost entirely volunteer-based organization with a sole mission of connecting people with nature. Working in partnership with the Suffolk County Parks system, NFAS are stewards of the Roy Lathan Nature Center — the society’s headquarters — and host trail hikes, bird safety initiatives, and overall sustainable horticultural educational programs.
Further info and registration for tomorrow morning’s beach clean up here.
***
New Yorkers are still scrambling to make appointments to secure driver's licenses that comply with a federal law to board domestic flights beginning May 7. Michael Gormley reports in NEWSDAY that so far, 6.7 million New Yorkers have secured the REAL ID-compliant licenses, permits or nondriver IDs, said Walter McClure, spokesman for the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. That compares with 6.3 million holders of REAL ID-compliant licenses at the end of 2024.
A spot check by Newsday yesterday found few dates through July that were available for appointments with DMV to secure a REAL ID license, permit or nondriver ID or to upgrade their license to the more secure documents.
The licenses are required under the Real ID Act Congress passed in 2005, which requires states to provide licenses that meet higher levels of security for air travel and to enter government and nuclear facilities. Beginning in March, New York State expanded the hours and days that residents could choose to seek appointments to apply for the licenses. Applicants must provide several documents to apply. More slots are opening up daily and applicants are encouraged to keep checking the DMV online scheduler at https://public.nydmvreservation.com/.
New Yorkers who must travel by air beginning May 7 can still use their passport to board aircraft if they don’t have a REAL ID-compliant license, permit or nondriver ID. The state’s Enhanced Licenses also can be used for identification for air travel because they are REAL ID-compliant.
The federal REAL ID Law requires a deeper level of security and will be required to enter many federal buildings and facilities, such as military bases. Enhanced Licenses also meet those federal standards.
To review documents needed to prove identity and citizenship status, click here.