ALBANY- Senator Rob Rolison (R-Poughkeepsie) is urging State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to conduct a full forensic audit of the MTA to identify what actions have led to the agency’s fiscal crisis. Rolison is hopeful that the audit will reveal what went wrong, and will recommend steps that can be implemented to close the $600 million annual budget shortfall. Rolison believes that turning to the taxpayers to close the gap should be a last resort.
In a letter to DiNapoli, also signed by many of Rolison’s Republican colleagues, they write, “It is vitally important to ensure that there is complete transparency and openness pertaining to this issue. Whether it is the MTA Payroll Tax or congestion pricing, enough is enough. The MTA needs to exhibit some fiscal responsibility and get its own financial house in order before asking for the taxpayers of our state to bail them out.”
Last year, it is estimated that the MTA lost over a half billion dollars as a result of riders not paying their fares, a loss that the senators say could have been avoided with efforts to install head-to-foot turnstiles.
“The MTA is proposing another tax hike without providing much-needed services to suburban commuters in places like Orange County. This is unacceptable. I’m joining my colleagues to call for a comprehensive audit of MTA finances so taxpayers and riders understand exactly how the transit provider spends its revenues. You cannot manage what you can’t measure,” said Senator Rob Rolison.
