Here are some things that Albany lawmakers might cut under Governor Paterson's proposed budget: free student MetroCards, the W train, 18,500 New York City jobs, $101 billion in school funding, and $1 billion in health care funding. Here's one thing that's not at risk: a $5.2 million renovation of hearing rooms for Albany lawmakers. According to an Associated Press report, the renovations include new 3- by 5-foot television screens, better lighting and technology for TV coverage, new carpets, refurbished seats, and "more prominent name plates for lawmakers." According to a spokesman, this is the first major renovation of the hearing rooms in 35 years and it will improve "the openness of the Legislature's work and make the rooms more accessible for the disabled." more ›

Riders hope that low grades for the G line will eventually lead to improvements, while plans are in place to make the G a more usable line. Despite being the two largest boroughs in New York City, there is only one train line dedicated to getting people from Brooklyn (2.5 million people) to Queens (2.3 million people). All other passages must make their way from one borough, through Manhattan (1.6 million people), and then on... more ›