PARTNERSHIP FOR NEW YORK CITY

New York, New York
May 5, 2009

letter (PDF 158K)

May 5, 2009

Dear Legislator:

The undersigned organizations have been leading advocates of a balanced plan to finance the long-term capital needs of the MTA and its immediate operating deficit.

In this context, we supported a new state payroll tax, known as the mobility tax, in the twelve counties served by the MTA, exclusively for the purpose of investing in a capital program to maintain, modernize and expand the regional public transportation system, with the sole exception being that this revenue stream could be used in the first year for operating needs in conjunction with increased fares of approximately 8% -- far less onerous than the fare increases and service cuts being considered in the absence of any new state assistance.

The mobility tax was never intended, however, to create a permanent revenue stream for operating needs and we are distressed that it has been hijacked in the recent negotiations with no consideration of long-term capital needs.

The only circumstances under which we can support the actions being taken by the state to deal with the MTA emergency are that the authorizing legislation include the following provisions:

1.  Revenues generated by the mobility tax during the first year in which it is collected may be used to support the operating needs of the MTA, provided, however, that such revenues may only be used for this purpose if toll and fare increases of at least 8% relative to their current levels are in effect during this time.

2.  Revenues generated by the mobility tax during the first year in which it is collected may be used to support new borrowing and direct expenses related to the MTA's capital program and the debt service associated with the MTA's current portfolio of expansion projects. Revenues generated by the mobility tax after the first year in which it is collected shall be used exclusively to support new borrowing and direct expenses related to the MTA's capital program and the debt service associated with the MTA's current portfolio of expansion projects.

Sincerely,

Gary LaBarbera
President
Building & Construction Trades Council

Carol Kellermann
President
Citizens Budget Commission

Mike Fishman
President
32BJ, Service Employees International Union

Lou Coletti
President
Building Trades Employers Association

Michael J. Forde
Executive Secretary Treasurer/Business Manager 
NYC District Council of Carpenters

Denise Richardson
Managing Director
General Contractors Association of New York

Richard T. Anderson
President
New York Building Congress

William C. Rudin
Chairman
Association for a Better New York

Dick Dadey
Executive Director
Citizens Union

Kevin Corbett
Co-Chair
Empire State Transportation Alliance

Kathryn Wylde
President & CEO
Partnership for New York City

Kate Slevin
Executive Director
Tri-State Transportation Campaign

Bob Yaro
President
Regional Plan Association

Marcia Bystryn

President
NY League of Conservation Voters

Rich Kassel
Senior Attorney
Natural Resources Defense Council

John Delgado
Business Manager
Construction and General Building Laborers Local 79

Bobby Bonanza
Business Manager
Mason Tenders District Council of Greater New York and Long Island

Paul Steely White
Executive Director
Transportation Alternatives

Joanne Derwin
Executive Director
Urban Agenda 

Elizabeth Yeampierre
Chair
New York City Environmental
Justice Alliance