Senator Morahan Vows To Fight Mayor's Efforts To Restore Commuter Tax

Senator Thomas P. Morahan (R-C, New City) voiced his strong opposition to NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s call for a tax on those who commute to the city from the suburbs. In 1999 Morahan was one of the leaders in efforts which resulted in repeal of the NYC Commuter Tax, which, for over 30 years generated millions of dollars in revenue for the city.

The defunct commuter tax was set at 0.45 percent of wages and 0.65 percent of self-employment income.

"It was wrong in 1999 and it would be wrong to restore now. Everyone who works in New York contributes to the city treasury--directly, through sales taxes on purchases in the city, and indirectly, through a broad array of city taxes paid by corporations that employ commuters from Rockland, Orange, Nassau, Westchester and Suffolk counties," said Senator Morahan.

The Senator noted that workers who live in this city pay more in taxes, but also consume more in services such as education, housing, health, emergency services, etc.

"The city needs to attract and retain more commuters, at a time when many firms are pondering relocation decisions," said Morahan.
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