Transit Funding
Streetsblog Basics
Cuomo Thinks MTA Payroll Tax Is “Onerous,” Wants Alternative
Andrew Cuomo continues to leave the door open for cuts or changes to the NYC region's payroll mobility tax, which raises $1.34 billion annually for the MTA. Here's what he had to say about the tax after an event in Poughkeepsie yesterday (at minute 5:00 of the above video):
January 21, 2011
Protecting Transit Funds Tops NYLCV’s Transpo Agenda
Environmental advocates' agenda for the Cuomo Administration continues to take shape, with the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund yesterday releasing its Albany agenda for 2011 [PDF].
January 20, 2011
Splinter Group of Senate Dems Want MTA Payroll Tax on Chopping Block
The fate of the payroll mobility tax, which brings in $1.34 billion a year to the MTA, just grew a little shakier. The four members of the State Senate's new Independent Democratic Conference, who split off from the minority Democrats last week, have come out with their agenda and included in it is a call to "reform" the tax and even consider eliminating it. Any cut to the mobility tax would spell disaster for transit riders.
January 10, 2011
MTA Finances Grow Even Shakier Under GOP House
The assault on the MTA's already battered finances could now come from yet another front: the federal government. The new Republican majority in the House of Representatives passed a rule Wednesday that would allow reductions in federal transportation spending, including investment in transit. That puts previously secure federal funds on the negotiating table, making it that much harder for the MTA to balance its books.
January 7, 2011
Cuomo’s First Moves Hint at Transpo Privatization, Labor Confrontation
Andrew Cuomo has been governor for all of three days, but even his small first actions could have big implications. With the state's massive deficit looming, Cuomo won't be able to avoid tough choices and big fights, and transportation is very much in the crosshairs. Bigger news could come as early as Wednesday, when Cuomo announces his emergency financial plan -- in which he could announce raids on the MTA's dedicated finances in the hundreds of millions -- but already a picture of this year's agenda is beginning to emerge.
January 3, 2011
Advocates and Unions to Cuomo: Put a Stop to Transit Raids
A broad coalition of good government groups, transit and environmental advocates, and unions sent a letter to Andrew Cuomo on Friday [PDF] urging the incoming governor to protect straphangers by ensuring that transit revenues are spent on transit.
December 20, 2010
The Evolution of PlaNYC: Transit, Tight Budgets, and the Sheridan
Last week Streetsblog sat down with David Bragdon, the new head of the city's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, to talk about next year's update of PlaNYC. A new version of the city's sustainability plan is set to be released on Earth Day, 2011 (that's April 22), revising the 2007 roadmap for a city that prioritizes transit, biking, and walking.
December 15, 2010
Despite New York’s Huge Transit Ridership, Albany Failing On Green Transpo
New York State might be home to more transit riders than any other state, but when it comes to the transportation policies on the books, we don't look quite so green.
December 14, 2010
Legislature Passes on Deficit Fix, Putting MTA Raids In Cuomo’s Hands
In Albany this week, legislative leaders declined to take action to close the state's current $315 million budget deficit. That pushes the problem into 2011, when a new governor and likely a Republican State Senate will be in power. Whether dedicated MTA funds will still be used as a piggy bank, at the expense of transit riders, will be up to next year's leadership.
December 2, 2010