In her ongoing efforts to reform the mismanagement of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt (R,I,C – Greenwood Lake) spoke out today on legislation, A.7898, that made a minor restructure to the rotation of non-voting members on the MTA board.
“Instead of passing legislation that would truly reform this broken authority, and ensure fair and equal representation of those paying the devastating payroll tax, this legislation only made a minor technical edit on two non-voting positions. The legislature should be looking at ways to reform the MTA board by ensuring every county paying this onerous tax has an equal vote,” said the assemblywoman, who has long advocated for Orange and Rockland counties to be allowed to have a full vote on the board, rather than their current quarter vote.
Although the regularly-scheduled legislative session is nearing its end, Assemblywoman Rabbitt is continuing to ask residents of Orange and Rockland counties to join her efforts to audit the MTA and enhance the counties’ voting power by signing her petition. While many residents may have received a copy of the petition in the mail, residents still can pick up a copy at their local government office or post office, or request one from the assemblywoman directly by e-mailing her at rabbitta@assembly.state.ny.us or calling her office at (845) 291-3631.
Throughout this session, Assemblywoman Rabbitt has been delivering signed petitions to the governor, and will continue to do so until an independent forensic audit of the MTA commences. Earlier today, the assemblywoman also joined a bipartisan call for the Assembly to vote on legislation, A.8193, to repeal the payroll tax. This measure was passed in the state Senate last evening, and, if voted on this week in the Assembly, could be signed into law by the governor by the close of session on June 20.
The assemblywoman said, “Repealing the payroll tax is a necessary step to improving the economy throughout the Hudson Valley and Long Island communities in the MTA’s 12-county service region. Without the burden of this tax on the backs of employers, the job security of our constituents will improve as well as show employers that Albany wants to keep businesses in our state.”