(Long Island, NY) Following the introduction of the governor’s 30-Day amendments, Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,C,I-Glen Head) expressed concern regarding the proposal to authorize the MTA to enter into partnerships with local governments in order to improve financing for transportation projects. The initial proposal outlined in the executive budget was changed to allow the partnership to capture the value created by the MTA project by means of assessments or taxes.
The proposed amendment states that, under the proposal, the MTA will not have the control to tax but the agency will be permitted to work in conjunction with local governments that have the power necessary to levy taxes.
“Allowing the MTA to influence local governments to further burden New Yorkers with more taxes in order to finance transportation projects is unacceptable,” said Montesano. “These projects spearheaded by the MTA are already funded with state tax dollars, so why force residents to pay additional taxes at the local level? It just doesn’t make sense. We shouldn’t open up an avenue for backdoor borrowing; the projects under the MTA should be budgeted and executed responsibly.”
