East Hudson Valley News

The New York State Senate Republicans have voiced strong opposition to the potential reinstatement of the MTA payroll tax as a means to address budget shortfalls for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). They have urged Governor Hochul and Democratic leaders to reconsider this approach, emphasizing that businesses in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD) cannot sustain another financial burden.

The MTA payroll tax applies to businesses with employees working within the MCTD, which includes New York City's five boroughs—Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island—as well as several suburban counties: Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester.

Republicans argue that instead of imposing additional taxes or fees on taxpayers and businesses, the MTA should address its internal issues related to mismanagement, fraud, and waste. "If the Governor wants to impose another tax on hard-working New Yorkers," said NYS Senator Rob Rolison from the 39th District, "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."

Senator Rolison further emphasized that reinstating the MTA payroll tax would not solve the agency's budgetary problems but would rather add an unnecessary burden on residents of Hudson Valley and others across the entire MTA region.