ALBANY—Majority Leader Malcolm Smith’s M.T.A. bailout bill has now been amended—the changes are mainly technical—it most likely must “age” another three days before the chamber can vote on the it. That’s one hurdle, but the legislation has a much bigger obstacle ahead: Smith doesn’t appear to have 32 votes to actually pass the measure.
The bill was voted out of the Finance Committee along party lines, and not before Republicans were able to voice more criticism of the bailout package.
One, State Senator Bill Larkin, called it “bullshit.”
State Senator Carl Kruger, who chairs the Finance Committee, emphasized that the bill will likely be further amended.
