By Craig Giammona
The tax credits were allocated following the attacks of Sept. 11 to help rebuild Lower Manhattan but have not been used. Southeast Queens officials believe the rail link project will greatly enhance downtown Jamaica's role as a regional transit hub. In addition to easing the commute from Manhattan to Kennedy airport, the rail link will connect Long Island Rail Road passengers to Lower Manhattan.
The tax credits have twice passed the House of Representatives in recent months, only to be killed in the U.S. Senate. Bush visited New York Wednesday and apparently told Bloomberg that he plans to include the $2 billion in his executive budget, greatly increasing the likelihood that the money will eventually be allocated.
The New York Post reported that Bush included the funds in his budget last year, but the money was cut out by Republican committee chairmen.
The project's cost is estimated at $6 billion.
