Senator Fuschillo Calls on Washington to Restore Commuter Tax Benefit Following Mta Fare Increase

     “With commuters facing higher fares after approval of yet another MTA fare increase, it is more important than ever for Congress to restore the pre-tax mass transit benefit program to help reduce costs for commuters.

     Overburdened, overtaxed residents were hit with a nearly fifty percent tax increase in January when Congress failed to authorize an extension of the benefit, which allows eligible workers to set aside a portion of their pre-tax wages to pay for mass transit commuting expenses. These same workers will now see their commuting costs rise even higher because the MTA has raised fares once again. Many cannot afford to keep paying more.

     In these trying times, where so many residents are suffering, every dollar counts. Washington needs to do the right thing and restore these savings which never should have been allowed to expire in the first place.”

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Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) is Chairman of the New York State Senate’s Transportation Committee.