Larkin Proposes Greater Hudson Valley Representation On The Mta Board

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) has introduced legislation (S.904) in the New York State Senate to grant representatives from Dutchess, Putnam, Orange and Rockland Counties a vote on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Currently, the four counties are granted only partial representation on the MTA Board. The Larkin bill will increase the voting power, and thus the representation, of the four Hudson Valley counties, commonly referred to as the "quarter-pounders" on the MTA Board.

"This legislation would give all of the four Hudson Valley counties one vote each, instead of one collective vote," said Senator Larkin. "For twenty years, since 1987, these four counties have only been allowed one collective vote on the MTA Board. Since then, the population, as well as the number of New York City commuters from these counties has increased dramatically to say the least. In comparison, the commuter counties of Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk each have one full vote. The four Hudson Valley counties also make a substantial financial contribution to the MTA and should have a greater voice on the MTA Board as well."

The bill is currently being considered in the Senate Transportation Committee and the Assembly Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee.