MD: Sen. Zeldin and Sen. Martins Introduce Legislation to Repeal MTA Payroll Tax

-Eliminate overtime abuse- well over $400 million is spent on overtime annually;

-MTA should share in enforcement camera fines in MTA bus lanes;

-Competitive bidding/ privatization of NYC bus system;

-Public/private partnerships;

-Reduce outside litigation costs by increasing utilization of in-house attorneys or the NYS Attorney General's office;

-Sell some of the MTAs capital assets currently valued at over $50 billion;

-Reduce the cash and investment float, which amounts to billions;

-Reduce the amount of managers and supervisors, which is currently over 10,000 of the MTAs 66,000 employees;

-Crack down on pension padding where possible;

-Cashless tolls throughout the system;

-Reduced vacancy/absentee coverage of MTA Bridges and Tunnels; and

-Improve process for approving personal and miscellaneous services contracts.

This has been a job-killing tax on Long Island. The simple fact of the matter is that the MTA needs to put better controls in place to stop waste, fraud, mismanagement and abuse, instead of unfairly forcing Long Island families and businesses to pay this payroll tax, said Assemblyman Dean Murray (R, C - East Patchogue). Since this tax was first levied, I have consistently said that the MTAs problem is on the expenditure side, not the revenue side of their balance sheet. I applaud Senators Zeldin and Martins for introducing this legislation, and plan on co-sponsoring companion legislation in the Assembly.

We applaud the efforts of Senator Martins and Senator Zeldin by introducing legislation to repeal the regressive MTA payroll tax, which places an unnecessary fiscal burden on local businesses and in particular, not-for-profit charitable organizations. The amount of tax Long Island Cares would pay to the MTA represents 3,164 meals that could be provided to feed the hungry. In essence, the MTA payroll tax has taken emergency food out of the mouths of children, veterans, seniors and families in need when they least can afford it, said Paule Pachter, Executive Director, Long Island Cares, Inc. - The Harry Chapin Food Bank.

This devastating tax was the last nail in the coffin for many small business owners during these difficult economic times. We are glad to see the process move forward to repeal this tax, said Richard Bivone, Nassau Chairman of the Long Island Business Council.

Realizing the negative impact this MTA payroll tax has on LI businesses we commend Senator Zeldin for leading the way in its repeal, said Terri Alessi-Miceli, President of the Hauppauge Industrial Association.

We must support Senator Zeldins efforts to eliminate the MTA Payroll Tax and the unfair burden placed on the residents and business owners by it, said Steve Foray, President of the East Islip Chamber of Commerce.

As a small business owner, I struggle everyday to manage my funds and maintain a budget that is reasonable for what my earnings will allow. I am forced to make difficult decisions such as the ability to hire and release employees, track benefits spending and make adjustments where necessary to stay within my means and be a responsible business owner. And when it becomes difficult to achieve these goals, I am left to try harder, not ask for a bail out. I think it is time for the MTA to try harder to be responsible in running their operations. I am tired of paying the MTA and each time I must write my quarterly check to them, I sit and wonder what I could have used this for in my own businessnew equipment for my patients, a new computer, etc. I am confident that I speak behalf of many other business owners who have had enough. It is time to ask Albany to do whats right and repeal the MTA tax and provide some relief to our overburdened small business owners. I support the efforts of Senator Zeldin and applaud his efforts in the presentation of this bill, said Laura Rogacki, President/Bayport-Blue Point Chamber of Commerce.