Assemblyman Anil Beephan (R,C-East Fishkill) joined fellow Minority assemblymembers today for a press conference in support of a bill that would mandate the state’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) contract with a reliable and certified public accounting firm to conduct an independent forensic audit of the organization. Following deficit problems in their operating budget and efforts by Beephan to offer relief in congestion pricing fees for essential personnel, the Assembly Minority are now pushing for a more comprehensive review of the MTA’s operation and financial status.

“Every single day, Dutchess County residents are paying an MTA tax—whether through property taxes, purchases or even vehicle registration fees,” Beephan said. “On top of that, those who pay fares to ride the train are already contributing through their taxes. Enough is enough. It’s unfair for the MTA to keep demanding more funding at the expense of hardworking taxpayers.”

Recently, MTA Chairman Janno Lieber visited Albany to petition the state to consider sending an additional $33 billion to the agency, on top of the funding they are already likely to receive through the approved state budget.

“This organization must be held accountable. The MTA owes New Yorkers full transparency—riders and taxpayers deserve to see exactly where their money is going. While I support the proposed legislation, I am also urging the Assembly Oversight, Analysis and Investigation Committee to conduct a thorough review of the MTA to ensure maximum accountability. As a member of that committee, I will be pushing for a comprehensive, top-down examination of the agency before any discussion of additional funding takes place,” Beephan concluded.