Dinowitz appointed head of influential committee

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Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, a veteran of more than 20 years at the state legislative body, started the 2017 session in Albany as the newly appointed chair of a committee with substantial clout in New York City. 

The Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, which Dinowitz has been appointed to head, oversees policies that affect scores of public agencies, including such giants as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

“There’s dozens and dozens, maybe hundreds of authorities in New York State. In addition, the committee has jurisdiction in the area of dealing with utilities, telecommunications, so it’s just a lot of stuff,” Dinowitz said. 

He pledged to use his position to push the issues that affect the city, and particularly the Bronx, to the forefront of discussions on policies related to transit and utilities, like cable and electricity. 

“Obviously, Manhattan is the transportation hub and the economic hub, so most things relate to Manhattan, but I think there needs to be greater emphasis on providing services for people in the outer boroughs, including and especially the Bronx,” Dinowitz said. “Another example in terms of MTA issues is I believe that there has to be greater emphasis on improving bus service in the outer boroughs.”

Bronx bus service has been a longtime project for Dinowitz, who has repeatedly called for increased service of buses travelling across the Bronx from east to west. 

“Not everybody commutes from the boroughs or beyond to Manhattan.  There are many people who travel within the boroughs and within the Bronx,” he said. “I think improving service in the Bronx needs to be a very high priority.”

Dinowitz also pledged to increase transparency in the MTA. 

“I intend to use this new role to ensure full accountability of the MTA and all the public entities we rely on every day,” he said in a statement.

The committee also deals with statewide issues. According to former chair Assemblyman James Brennan’s 2016 report, bills that came out of the committee and were signed into law include a requirement for public authorities to broadcast meetings online to increase public engagement and the establishment of a program to increase school energy efficiency. 

“It’s a very important committee in the Assembly, it has jurisdiction in a lot of different areas,” Dinowitz said. “While it’s a committee in the Assembly, which means statewide and it’s not just New York City that it relates to, but it’s statewide, we’ll always be thinking of doing things that are going to make life better in my district.”  

Jeffrey Dinowitz, New York State Assembly, Committee on Corporations Authorities and Commissions, Anthony Capote

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