NYS Senate Republican Conference Opposes Return of a Full-Fledged MTA Payroll Tax

(Hauppauge, NY) – The New York State Senate Republican Conference has reached out to Governor Hochul and Democrat Leadership in the NYS Senate and Assembly, to make it clear that under no circumstances should the full reinstatement of the MTA payroll tax be considered as a solution to closing the MTA’s budget shortfalls.

Instead of burdening hardworking taxpayers and businesses with yet another increase, tax or fee, the MTA must take accountability for its long-standing issues of mismanagement, fraud and waste. It is time for a comprehensive audit and the establishment of a financial control board to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency at the MTA.

To restore fiscal integrity to the MTA, two critical steps should be taken. First, conducting a forensic audit will provide full transparency into the agency’s finances, uncover waste, fraud, and inefficiencies. Second, appointing a Financial Control Board to oversee the MTA’s finances will impose strict financial discipline, close budget shortfalls, and implement necessary reforms to keep the agency on a sustainable path. These measures will help rebuild public trust and ensure the MTA operates efficiently for the millions of New Yorkers who depend on it.

The Senate Republican Conference remains committed to holding the MTA accountable and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. The solution to the MTA’s budget crisis cannot come at the expense of small businesses, workers, and families already struggling under the weight of high taxes and the cost of living in New York.

“Enough is enough. How can we know how much more is needed when we haven't yet identified how much is being wasted?  We desperately need a full forensic audit to identify just how much is being lost as a result of mismanagement, waste, fraud and abuse. Then we need a Financial Control Board to take over the MTA's finances to ensure that wasteful policies are eliminated, and necessary fiscal changes are made. The MTA must clean up its fiscal mess before demanding more money from New Yorkers and at no time, ever, should a full return of the MTA Payroll Tax even be considered as a solution. That is a non-starter", stated NYS Senator, Dean Murray, 3rd District. 

“The MTA’s long history of fiscal mismanagement is in need of real reform. We must continue to hold the MTA accountable and ensure that taxpayers and businesses are not forced to foot the bill for its ongoing failures. It would be simply unacceptable and irresponsible for the state to attempt to address the MTA’s fiscal woes through an increase in the payroll tax, rather than focusing on long-term solutions that promote fiscal responsibility and efficiency,” stated NYS Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, 9th District.

“If the Governor wants to impose another tax on hard-working New Yorkers, we need to see MTA expand services, especially in Orange County where there are no continuous single-seat train ride options into New York City for work, essential medical care and more. A return to the MTA Payroll Tax is not a solution for the MTA’s ongoing budgetary struggles and only puts another burden on the backs of Hudson Valley residents and individuals in the entire MTA region,” stated NYS Senator Rob Rolison, 39th District.