"No state or region stands to benefit more than New York, whichrelies on its vast infrastructure network to meet the needs of agrowing population and the nation's largest economic engine," saysNYBC president Richard T. Anderson in a release. "Pointing out needwon't be enough, however. The situation is dire and calls forsomething other than a typical 'business-as-usual' approach in NewYork, where critical infrastructure projects can be delayed foryears and even decades by bureaucracy, political inertia andneedless delay." As an example, the position paper cites theMoynihan Station plan, still in limbo 16 years after it was firstproposed.

In its position paper, NYBC calls on Paterson and Bloomberg toestablish high-level task forces that will draw input from closeadvisors, state and city agency heads, the state and citycomptrollers, the state legislature and City Council. According toNYBC, the task forces would quickly create a short-list ofpotential stimulus projects, examine the current status of each andidentify all remaining regulatory approvals, procurement matters orother issues that must be addressed.

"Many critical questions remain unanswered," the position paperstates. "For instance, have we determined which projects providethe most bang for the buck? Should we focus on unfunded projectsthat have not yet started or augment projects already in thepipeline, such as the No. 7 subway line extension and the FultonStreet Transit Center? How much should be used to fill a $4-billiondollar gap in the School Construction Authority budget or tomodernize the region's electric grid?"