Opinion: What government can do

Not long ago, then-Vice President Joe Biden infamously compared LaGuardia to a “third-world country.” It was an embarrassment and unacceptable for the city of New York and the people it serves. Worse, he was right. But last week, the unimaginable happened: Forbes Travel Guide named LaGuardia Airport the best in the nation.

Iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge and Grand Central Terminal are not just symbols of the city; they stand as testaments to human achievement and strong leadership. Yet, by the time I was elected governor in 2010, those accomplishments seemed like ancient history. Our bridges, airports and green spaces reflected neglect and a loss of moxie, as if the age of government actualizing bold visions was behind us.

I never believed that, and neither did the people of New York. That’s why, early in my administration, I made the decision that we wouldn’t just talk about reimagining our infrastructure – we would actually take on the projects that decades of politicians paid lip service to but never followed through on: rebuilding and replacing the Tappan Zee and Kosciuszko Bridges, building the Moynihan Train Hall, completing East Side Access and the 2nd Avenue Subway extension and overhauling JFK and LaGuardia airports. It was not simply about getting these much needed and overdue projects completed. It was about demonstrating that government can work.

When we completed these projects on-time and on-budget, we did more than improve the daily experience of New Yorkers and visitors alike, while reducing pollution, increasing safety and providing a public art component worthy of international museums. Equally important, we demonstrated that government is capable of functioning and delivering services, taking on necessary projects and improving the lives of New Yorkers.  

Today, LaGuardia Airport is a shining example of what modern infrastructure looks like: state-of-the-art terminals, improved transportation access, a smooth passenger experience from start to finish along with amenities that entice travelers to arrive early. The overhaul of the airport was completed while it remained fully functioning, and it was done on-time during a once-in-a-century pandemic. People who still remember the Old LaGuardia are amazed at what we accomplished. Those who do not remember would never believe what it used to look like. New Yorkers now have an airport they can be proud of, and visitors arrive in a city that reflects its status as a global capital. But more than that, it is the physical manifestation of what competent government is supposed to accomplish for the people it serves.  

However, over the last several years, we have seen a return to the bad old days: New York has seen its population decline and progress on infrastructure projects dramatically grind to a halt.  Budgets are bloated and late. Structural deficits rule the day. Jobs and projects are conceded to other states, and new industries struggle to take root here as a result.  

New York’s languishing infrastructure projects serve as a glaring reminder of the state’s back-sliding, as key projects have stalled or stopped altogether. Other needed projects and improvements are simply ignored. The renovation of Penn Station, a facility that is reminiscent of the Old LaGuardia, has struggled to make progress, leaving commuters to navigate a facility that remains outdated and overcrowded. The proposed LaGuardia AirTrain was scrapped, and no meaningful alternative has been announced.  There has been no progress on further extending the 2nd Avenue subway to Harlem. These are not just delays – they are signals that the government is not functioning and is not making a difference in communities and peoples’ lives.  

People have not only come to expect that the government cannot and will not deliver; they have come to accept it. That cannot be the way for New York. We must always be ahead of the curve, setting the bar higher and higher for the rest of the country, luring new people and industries and reimagining the future.

New Yorkers cannot and should not accept this new normal – really, a return to the past. The success of LaGuardia reminds us who we are – a people capable of bold, visionary projects when leadership is focused and determined.

When I reflect on these contributions, I see more than just bridges, airports and parks – I see the promise of government fulfilled when it’s committed to serving the public good. The recognition of LaGuardia is not just about an airport; it’s a reminder of who we are and what we are capable of being.