ALBANY—The M.T.A. board just
Transit advocates—including the Empire State Transportation Alliance, which has also been lobbying in Albany—testified about the need to act as quickly as possible as people holding signs urged action in the State Senate.
Yesterday, Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm Smith accused the M.T.A. of "holding the public hostage" Read More
ALBANY–For the second consecutive week, legislators left the Capitol without passing a package that would alleviate the M.T.A.'s budget deficit. There is still no consensus.
Before session, State Senator Martin Malave Dilan was sipping coffee in the corner of the chamber when I approached him. He was unenthusiastic, following a report in Read More
Few politicians would admit to being enthusiastic about putting tolls on the East and Harlem River bridges, but the same cannot be said of urban planners, environmentalists or mass-transit enthusiasts.
To be clear: The package that legislators in Albany are negotiating (or not negotiating, as the case may be) for Read More
Few politicians would admit to being enthusiastic about putting tolls on the East and Harlem River bridges, but the same cannot be said of urban planners, environmentalists or mass-transit enthusiasts.
To be clear: The package that legislators in Albany are negotiating (or not negotiating, as the case may be) for the M.T.A. is about Read More
ALBANY—Between licks on a lollipop, State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. told me he remains opposed to tolls, and floated something new to plug the M.T.A.’s deficit: a reinstatement of the commuter tax.
“Let’s bring it back,” Diaz said. “I’ve been telling everybody that wants to listen. People that live outside of the city, and Read More
ALBANY—Between licks on a lollipop, State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. told me he remains opposed to tolls, and floated something new to plug the M.T.A.'s deficit: a reinstatement of the commuter tax.
"Let's bring it back," Diaz said. "I've been telling everybody that wants to listen. People that live outside of the city, Read More
ALBANY—State Senator Kevin Parker said there is a "false dichotomy" between tolls and taxes or cuts and fare hikes as the only possible options for addressing the M.T.A.'s deficit.
"I reject out of hand that payroll taxes and the bridge tolls are the only way out of this," he said in a Capitol hallway. Read More
RENSSELAER—While on the topic of transportation, David Paterson and Malcolm Smith were asked about the MTA's deficit, and where things stand on state action to prevent a major fare increase and service cuts.
"I'd like to get it done because the MTA has a board meeting next week," Paterson said.
"I'm not going to Read More
ALBANY—Where's Malcolm?
All eyes are on the State Senate—and Majority Leader Malcolm Smith—as the deadline to act on the MTA's deficit approaches. There don't seem to be enough votes in the chamber to pass the plan proposed by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver last week, yesterday which Republicans oppose because of a payroll tax, Read More
ALBANY—A plan to raise revenue from East River bridge tolls and a region-wide payroll tax for the beleaguered M.T.A will not pass the state legislature this week.
Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat of Upper Manhattan the Bronx said he didn't believe there would be a vote in his chamber this week. When asked during a press conference Read More
