JSA2026 Commonwealth Budget: Volume XII

Justice, Transit, and Higher Ed: Functional Realignment Plan

Jason S. Arnold for Governor of New York
Published: May 12, 2025
Contact: jaysarnold@icloud.com | (516) 586-0660 | https://jsa2026.com/

Introduction

Volume XII continues the deep dive into the mechanics of New York’s $229 billion FY2026 budget. This edition focuses on three crucial systems—justice, transportation, and public universities—that absorb massive funds yet remain stubbornly inefficient. Each is overdue for reform, realignment, and results.

As with all volumes, this document prioritizes accountability, transparency, and outcome-based evaluation. Our budget is not a checkbook—it is a covenant with the people. Every line should serve a purpose.

Format of Review

• Total Allocation (FY2026)
• Top 5 Expense Lines
• Public Benefit Score (PBS) [Out of 100]
• Reform Notes
• Recommendation

1. Law Enforcement & Justice System

Total Allocation: $16.9 Billion

• $5.8B – NYPD + statewide law enforcement salaries and OT
• $3.6B – State courts and judicial pensions
• $2.4B – Prosecutor and public defender offices
• $2.3B – Technology + surveillance contracts
• $1.2B – Jury system and courthouse infrastructure

PBS: 44/100

Reform Notes: Over-centralization, unbalanced funding between prosecution and defense, limited civilian oversight.

Recommendation: Create county-level justice boards with fiscal and disciplinary power; require equal pay and staffing for public defenders.

2. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)

Total Allocation: $23.5 Billion

• $9.2B – Labor + pensions
• $4.8B – Capital construction overruns
• $3.6B – Contracted service vendors
• $3.1B – Safety and maintenance upgrades
• $2.8B – Executive overhead and debt service

PBS: 39/100

Reform Notes: Chronic delays, cost overruns, bloated leadership.

Recommendation: Transition MTA to a performance-based charter model with independent audit board. Cap executive salaries at 10x median frontline worker pay.

3. SUNY/CUNY University Systems

Total Allocation: $13.1 Billion

• $4.9B – Tenured faculty + admin salaries
• $2.8B – Campus maintenance and expansion
• $2.1B – Student services and auxiliary contracts
• $2.0B – Grant + research overhead
• $1.3B – DEI and diversity initiatives

PBS: 57/100

Reform Notes: High cost per student, ideological spending, underutilized campuses.

Recommendation: Streamline admin costs; rotate tenured faculty into flagship free university campus in central NY (see Vol V); pause non-academic spending for 2 fiscal years.

Closing Statement

Volume XII reveals a truth few insiders will admit: New York’s justice, transit, and education systems are not underfunded—they are underdisciplined. The answer is not always more money. The answer is better structure, cleaner priorities, and leaders who remember they serve the public.

JSA2026 will continue to roll out these functional reviews and implement the first post-partisan, pro-accountability budget in state history.

Jason S. Arnold
Candidate for Governor, New York
https://jsa2026.com/
(516) 586-0660 | jaysarnold@icloud.com
#JSA2026 #CommonwealthBudget #FixNewYork #TheRightOne