MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority)

Legislation Would Require MTA to Give Customers Full Refunds on Unused One-Way and Round-Trip LIRR Tickets

     Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) announced that the New York State Senate recently passed legislation he cosponsors to repeal the MTA’s refund fee on one-way and round-trip LIRR tickets.

     “Charging riders a ticket refund fee that is often more expensive than the ticket itself is totally unreasonable. This legislation would put a stop to this unfair policy and require the MTA to do the right thing by its customers,” said Senator Fuschillo, Chairman of the Senate’s Transportation Committee.

Signs of Progress

Hold on to your hats. I’m going to do something I rarely do and for which I may not have another opportunity for a long time: compliment the MTA, and in particular thank the Long Island Railroad. Usually when I write about them, it’s to bring to light some egregiously wasteful practice or poor decision that further burdens taxpayers or riders. To be sure, there’s still plenty of that devil-may-care attitude there to fuel columns well into the next decade but by the same token, it’s only fair that I point out when the MTA makes progress.

BROOKLYN -- Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron released the following statement upon news of an agreement to allow NYU to build a Center for Urban Science and Progress at 370 Jay Street in Downtown Brooklyn:

An applied sciences campus at 370 Jay Street is nothing short of a game-changer for Downtown Brooklyn and all of New York City. 

For years we've pushed to put 370 Jay to use, and, since last fall, we've urged an agreement that would allow NYU and NYU-Poly to build a Center for Urban Science and Progress in the space. 

Now, by bringing a world-class institute to Brooklyn, we'll be able to bring Brooklyn's dynamic talent and vibrant tech scene to the world. And by finally putting the nearly-abandoned 370 Jay to use, Downtown Brooklyn will take another huge step forward.

The Signs of Spring

As sure as the swallows return to Capistrano, you know it must be spring in New York City when the mayoral candidates declare war on the suburbs. No sooner did we repeal the onerous MTA payroll tax than candidate, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, trotted out his plan for a new and improved commuter tax. I know, I know, it’s not really new. Multiple candidates in every mayoral race suggest it, but Mr. Stringer gets the prize for being the first this year. It’s a sharp political move for them when you think about it: advocate for a tax on those who can’t vote for (or against) you anyway.

Budget Comes Early, Controls Spending and Holds The Line On Taxes

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan hailed the 2012 state budget today as lawmakers approved the spending plan ahead of the April 1st deadline, marking the second consecutive year New York State will enact an on-time budget.

“Passing a second on-time budget in as many years is indicative of the larger progress we’ve seen lately in Albany. Just as late budgets were once a symbol of dysfunction, on-time budgets are symbolic of continued progress,” the Senator said. “Even more important than passing an on-time budget, is that we passed a fiscally responsible budget that respects New York’s taxpayers and keeps the State moving forward.”

The New York State Legislature has completed passage of an on-time budget for the second year in a row. Though it was another challenging budget, requiring the closure of a $3.5 billion deficit, we were able to balance the budget without tax increases or fiscal gimmickry. In addition, overall spending was reduced for the second straight year, the frist time this has happened in at least three decades. 

Some highlights include:

Press-Republican

March 29, 2012