[exegete]

I think you are misinterpreting that article. The MTA board approved the plan to spend $68B but they depend on the state to give them funds. That’s the amount of money they are asking for based on the projects they want to complete. The state government has to pass a budget to fund that plan (or do something else). Additionally several current, already started projects are on hold due to the “pause” of congestion pricing which was going to be a funding source.