New York Farm Bureau Supports MTA Tax Repeal Legislation

Albany, NY- Senator Lee M. Zeldin (R, C, I –Shirley) announced that the New York Farm Bureau  is supporting his MTA Payroll Tax Repeal legislation (S.5596/A.8193).

New York Farm Bureau released the following statement:

 "Our cows don't ride the subway.”

"Farm families in the Hudson Valley and Long Island have been forced to pay a tax that adds thousands in costs without any benefit to the farm.”

“The Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax has increased substantially within recent years, creating a huge burden for businesses in the MTA service region.”

“The MTA payroll tax directly impacts the costs of agricultural production in New York State and, in turn, has a detrimental effect to New York’s economy.”

“Farmers are grateful to Sen. Zeldin and Assemblyman Latimer for sponsoring a bill which exempts the affected farmers from the MTA payroll tax, recognizing that they receive no benefit from New York City buses and trains running on time.”

 “The New York Farm Bureau is the state’s largest agricultural organization representing almost 30,000 members. Many of these members are located within the outlying 7 county suburban region that the MTA services. In Suffolk, especially on the North Fork, where there are an abundance of farms that have to pay the job-killing MTA Tax, they only get one or two trains a day and only during certain times of the year. There is much less of a benefit to these farms from the MTA,” said Senator Zeldin.

“I welcome the New York Farm Bureau to our growing list of supporters. It is important that we eliminate this job- killing tax as soon as possible.”

 New York Farm Bureau’s support adds to a growing list of endorsements Senator Zeldin’s legislation has received in the past week since being announced. New York Farm Bureau joins the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Business Council of New York State, Inc., the Conservative Party of New York State, The Long Island Business News, GrowPAC, Long Island Cares, Inc., The Long Island Business Council, The Hauppauge Industrial Association, and several Chambers of Commerce in supporting this legislation.