Statement From State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr.
"Governor Spitzer’s announcement that he will ask the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to reverse a planned subway fare increase for New York City subway riders, while at the same time Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) riders will face a substantial fare hike is the Governor’s latest slam against Long Islanders.
Earlier this year, Governor Spitzer tried to deny Long Island its fair share of school aid, which would have put our school districts in jeopardy and raised property taxes.
Despite the Governor’s efforts, I successfully fought with my seven Senate Majority colleagues to ensure that our local schools districts received a record increase in state aid. I am just as committed to fighting the proposed LIRR fare hike.
The MTA has announced that it expects to have a budget surplus by the end of the year of nearly $1.2 billion. This is the largest MTA surplus ever and shows that an LIRR fare increase is unnecessary and will only add to the unfair burden borne by Long Island commuters.
Long Island’s hardworking commuters already paying hundreds of dollars each month to ride the LIRR, they do not need to see any more of their hard earned money going to finance a transit system that is supposed to work for them, rather than against them."
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