“I strongly encourage all residents in the MTA’s 12-county service region to join me in opposing this proposal in the Executive Budget and to contact their elected officials, state leaders and the governor directly. We need to conduct an independent forensic audit immediately and have time to review this audit before one more penny of taxpayers’ hard-earned money is given to the MTA. We need to rescind the Payroll Tax and conduct the audit now,” said the assemblywoman.
The Executive Budget, unveiled earlier this month, proposes a 10 percent cut for state agencies and a 2 percent cut for local governments and school districts. However, the governor’s proposal also includes a $43 million increase in funding for the MTA as well as another $100 million in new state funds for the MTA’s Capital Program. While the $43 million comes from increased collection of the MTA’s Payroll Tax, the $100 million in new funds are monies the governor proposes redirecting from other economic development initiatives.
Assemblywoman Rabbitt stated, “In the same breath asking the state Department of Transportation to take a 10 percent cut, the governor is proposing to give additional funds to the MTA. This is unfathomable. Schools, local governments, state services all are being asked to have faith and make sacrifices for the betterment of our state in the long run – the MTA, the worst agency of all, should not be excluded.”
All members of the public can pick up copies of the assemblywoman’s petition at their local village or town hall, or by contacting Assemblywoman Rabbitt’s District Office. Petitions can be sent to constituents via e-mail; however, they will need to be returned to the assemblywoman with an original signature (on paper). To request a petition, please call her office at 845-291-3631 or e-mail her at rabbitta@assembly.state.ny.us.