Democrats Push Plan to Increase MTA Oversight

New York, NY —

Senate Democrats are pushing a new plan to increase oversight of the MTA as well as its funding. Majority Leader Malcolm Smith says the public deserves to know where its money is going.

SMITH: We inherited an MTA that has been dysfunctional, if you will, for many many years. I don't even know if at the end of the day this is the end of it.

Under the plan, Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg would each lose one appointee to the MTA board and the state assembly and senate would each gain one. A state oversight board would also have the power to veto individual projects from the MTA's capital plan.

The latest senate proposal raises money for the transit authority through a payroll tax, a dollar surcharge on cab rides, and higher DMV fees and car rental taxes. The governor and State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver say they'll review the proposal but have not taken a position.