Statement From Senate Co-Leader Dean Skelos

Regardless of how the Courts ultimately rule on its constitutionality, this much is clear: The MTA payroll tax imposed by Senate Democrats is an onerous and unfair job-killing tax that never should have been enacted in the first place.

The MTA payroll tax was put in place over our objections in 2009, when every Senate Republican voted against it and every Senate Democrat voted for it. The payroll tax magnified the impact of a national economic recession in New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley, and made it even more difficult for young people to find a job. 

Working with the Governor, Senate Republicans led the successful effort to eliminate the MTA payroll tax for thousands of businesses and schools in 2011, providing some relief. In the weeks and months ahead, we must continue to work to lower the tax burden on middle-class families and businesses so we can create jobs and give people a future here in New York. 

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