Same-Sex Marriage Bill REJECTED in New York State Senate
UPDATE: City To Remove 14 Blocks Of Bike Lanes On Bedford Ave.
Catholic League Pissed at PETA
Hamster Rides The 4 Train
Bouncer Beatdown at Jay-Z's 40/40 Club
The NY State Legislature is meeting this afternoon to pass the MTA bailout the News calls "a slow-motion train wreck (that's) better than nothing." With no long term plans for capital funding and future hikes expected, Richard Ravitch (pictured), the man who got the bailout ball rolling, said, "I am disappointed that they didn't fund the five year plan. I'm disappointed they didn't do the tolls. But I'm thrilled they did something." The lack of East River tolls can be attributed to the maneuvering of the Gang of Three, one of whom (Sen. Carl Kruger) joked at a press conference, "Ravitch is supporting the plan that he opposed two months ago." Politicker NY says that no one laughed. The final push from Governor Paterson and Malcolm Smith was to promise $60 million to Long Island schools in order to get the last two Democratic holdouts on board with subjecting their constituents to the payroll tax that will largely fund the plan. Still, one local official on the Island told Newsday, "I'm very discouraged. I don't believe that Long Island's interests were well represented."
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
copy and pasted but good points:
Not that shocked. This is commonly how it's been done since the first few hikes.
The MTA say something like "THERE WILL BE A TEN BILLION DOLLAR INCREASE AND SERVICE CUTS ANYWAY OH GOD WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE" and everyone will panic and then the MTA will okay "okay just a quarter increase per ride and like errrrm $8 for the monthly" and everyone will go "WHEW THANK GOD THAT SUCKS BUT AT LEAST IT ISN'T TEN BILLION A RIDE ANYMORE".
Several months ago, had MTA publicized raising the monthly card from $81 to $89, people would have been pissed. But now, we're all like "oh, that's not so bad." People, MTA has played you.
Several months ago, had MTA publicized raising the monthly card from $81 to $89, people would have been pissed. But now, we're all like "oh, that's not so bad." People, MTA has played you.
Yes, because the huge fucking deficits, brought on by a decade of borrowing due to lack of city and state funding for capital improvements was all a big myth, right?
the deficit is not a myth, but can't you see how much more willing everyone is to accept the fare hike now? after they proposed $2.50, $2.25 doesn't sound so bad.
Don't forget their very risky investments that lost hugely.
The "Tammany Ring" is alive and well, my fellow New Yorkers! backs have been scratched and palms greased. These guys better wear some padding because they will be thrown out on their ass next election (That is, if the electorate knows what's good for them, but then again, the public never votes in their own interest.)
The guy who gave your anchor quote is not an "LI pol", he's chairman of the Long Island Regional Planning Council.
The doomsday plan may not be happening at the end of this month, but by 2013, the fares will still cost around the same amount as it would if it was happening now.
Has anyone in Albany suggested figuring out how to fix the MTA so that the fare hikes don't have to happen in the future? Nope? Ok, screw you.
I know how...gut the MTA. I don't have any particular insight, but I'd bet my bottom dollar that its a huge hidey hole for patronage and unqualified lackeys to take home huge paychecks
That would require actual hard work and sacrifice. Something NYS politicians are not familiar with.
Are there any concessions from the unions?
Ok. Anyone in here did not see this one coming? Raise your hand.
If you raised it, you are a fool.
May I suggest an audit of the MTA? If we're auditing banks, might as well hop on this one too.
Not everyone believed this is better than anything. What this actually is, is some of the scummiest political maneuvering in New York lead by Ravitch - supposedly. Ravitch isn't even a city or state official. City, state and MTA officials hid behind Ravitch. Instead of seeking new sources of revenue, the city and state should be looking toward further cuts in the budgets.
Oh no this person's jugular artery has been punctured!
Here's a napkin, that'll stop the bleeding.
I agree MrCrow - we've been played.
The panic that the MTA created, prevented us from asking some hard and valid questions, such as is there room to cut their operations budget, consolidate operations, inclusive of selling or renting out unused real estate. The Daily News asked this back in December: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/12/10/2008-12-10_mta_asks_for_shared_sacrifice__but_squan.html
Last month during Dan Squadron's town hall, I suggested that there be an audit of the MTA operations. I'm very disappointed to see that our new Senator never raised the issue.
amen! i was praying - and writing my representatives - in the hopes that any plan would include a full audit by an independent, outside company.
I wonder how the new payroll tax affects freelancers -- for example, if you're a freelancer working out of your living room who already pays both ends of the payroll tax yourself do you now have to pay more even though you have no employees and you don't commute? Or does this only affect employers?