Zeldin: Governor’s Leadership Could Get MTA Payroll Tax Repeal Legislation Across Finish Line in Democrat Controlled State Assembly

Identifying the MTA Payroll Tax as one of the biggest obstacles to creating jobs on Long Island, State Senator Lee M. Zeldin (R, C, I -Shirley) said today that the Governor’s Regional Economic Development team should make repeal of the MTA Payroll Tax it’s top legislative priority to promote economic growth.

“The MTA Payroll Tax is called a ‘job-killer’ for good reason,” said Senator Zeldin. “It’s an ill conceived tax on every existing job in the MTA region.”

The Cuomo Administration has begun to turn its attention to economic development now that the regular 2011 Legislative Session is over. The Governor is assembling regional economic teams to develop and promote new business activity and job creation.

“I’m very pleased with Governor Cuomo and Senate Majority Leader Skelos' sharp focus on our state’s economy,” Senator Zeldin said. “As we saw during this year’s Legislative Session, when the Governor makes something a priority, we can expect results. But no employment initiative is going to get anywhere by continuing the payroll tax. His regional economic team for Long Island should target the MTA Payroll Tax as a top obstacle to economic growth and join my fight for repeal.”

“Governor Cuomo is a key ally with the leadership skills to bring this legislation across the finish line in the Democrat controlled State Assembly,” continued Zeldin. “The Governor has already called the MTA payroll tax ‘onerous’ and said he is open to discussion. My bill, which has already passed the Senate, is a practical, workable alternative.”

Senator Zeldin has led the fight to repeal the job-killing MTA Payroll Tax, which was enacted in 2009 to bail out the MTA. With a bi-partisan vote on June 15, 2011, the Senate passed his legislation (S.5569-A/A.8193-A) to phase-out the MTA Payroll Tax. The Assembly Democratic leadership, however, has not yet allowed a vote on the legislation despite broad bi-partisan support in their house as well.

The legislation is supported by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, The Business Council of New York State, Inc., The Long Island Business News, New York Farm Bureau, GrowPAC, The Empire State Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Long Island Cares, Inc., The Long Island Business Council, New York State Catholic Conference, the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council, NYS Tax Relief Now, the Hauppauge Industrial Association, and several Chambers of Commerce.