Newsday: Use Tappan Zee to Rid NY of Bad Law

Yesterday, Newsday shared a letter written by LRANY Executive Director, Tom Stebbins, in response to the news that the Tappan Zee replacement project is now eligible for federal funding.  He highlights a major issue which has been looked over in the process: the ‘Scaffold Law’.

“While Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo‘s announcement of a panel of artists and architects to review the new Tappan Zee Bridge should be applauded [“New bridge could dazzle,” Editorial, Sept. 20], the governor should talk with his own policy experts about how reforming one law could save hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars.

Labor Law 240/241, also known as the scaffold law, holds contractors and property owners (and in this case, the state and taxpayers) automatically liable for elevation-related injuries, even if the worker was intoxicated or ignoring safety training.”

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