Albany watch: New York State's 2012 legislative session

On January 23, Governor Andrew Cuomo will release his 2012-13 budget for the State of New York. The budget needs to be adopted by both the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly by March 31. The American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC New York), representing 280 private sector engineering firms, is hopeful that next year's budget will include funds to invest in the state's growing infrastructure needs which include our bridges, roads, buildings and other transportation needs such as airport expansions. ACEC New York believes that investing in our aging infrastructure is the cornerstone to bringing economic activity back to New York. The governor's investment will lead to construction jobs, electrician jobs, plumbing jobs, carpenter jobs which will lead to private companies seeing New York is investing in the future and that will attract new business to the State of New York. Infrastructure investment will also result in increased values in real estate in New York State. Currently, there are 546,000 private sector businesses in New York State and wouldn't it be great if the number grew to 600,000 by the end of this governor's term in office which concludes at the end of 2014. In December, Governor Cuomo and the legislature passed legislation that gives New York the ability to use design-build contracts for capital projects related to the state's physical infrastructure. These contracts can be entered into by the State Department of Transportation, the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Thruway Authority. The total cost of each project shall not be less than $1.2 million and would establish a two-step method to be used by an authorized state entity to select an entity with which to enter into a design-build contract. This process increases the speed that the project can be delivered and will reduce costs of the project. This is a huge win for the State of New York taxpayer. The governor's target to use this design-build is the much needed replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge which crosses the Hudson River into Westchester County. ACEC New York is hopeful that part of the governor's new budget will add the use of public private partnerships which leverages public dollars to provide necessary funding for infrastructure and related projects. This additional tool expands opportunities for additional development with the public sector partnering with the private sector to add value for the citizens of New York. This would also give pension funds an opportunity to invest in New York infrastructure which would again lead to jobs within New York. These are exciting times for engineering firms in New York. Working with the governor and the legislature, we believe in the future of New York State. Bill McCarthy is a lobbyist with Bolton-St. Johns, Albany, N.Y., a firm that represents ACEC New York.