Senate Delays Vote on MTA Rescue Plan
New York, NY —
The state Senate was slated to vote on an MTA rescue plan today, but now it won't happen until next week. WNYC's Matthew Schuerman reports.
REPORTER: Lawmakers made two minor amendments on Tuesday, necessitating the delay. The state constitution requires any bill rest on lawmakers' desks for three session days before a vote.
The new schedule will give Senate leaders more time to secure enough votes for passage, which they currently don't have. The main holdout is Brian Foley, a Long Island Democrat who defeated a Republican incumbent last November. His chief of staff, Jim LaCarrubba, says Foley opposes the bill because it raises taxes on employers.
Census data suggest he doesn't have a much reason to support the MTA: just six percent of workers in his district commute by mass transit. Without a rescue plan, fares will increase approximately 25 percent May 31st. For WNYC, I'm Matthew Schuerman.
REPORTER: The MTA board will discuss additional fare hikes and service cuts they may need to take at a meeting this morning.
WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations
