Results tagged “doomsdaybudget”

With the Democrat-controlled State Senate holding up any hope of an MTA bailout, it may come down to the Republicans in the Senate to help out. Naturally, though, the NY Times reports that Republicans senators want highway and bridge projects financing. Sen. Thomas Libous (R-Binghamton) told the paper, "To just ignore the highway, road and bridge plan and go to trying to negotiate a schedule for a new M.T.A. capital plan was just not the right thing to do." While Republicans have been letting their Democratic counterparts fight out the bailout proposal, some would be affected if the MTA is stranded without some form of support—for instance, contracting jobs would be lost upstate. Still, they are happy to blame the dysfunction on the whole Paterson administration; Sen. Better Little (R-Queensbury) tells Newsday, "It's interesting that they're reaching out to us now, not when they were constructing a plan" (she also suggested the administration was "New York City-oriented").

Since state lawmakers have recessed for Passover & Easter break without a deal for helping the MTA, the MTA has released the timetable for the approved fare hikes and service reductions, which range from 25% higher subway, bus and rail fares to eliminating bus lines. MTA spokesman Jeremy Soffin tells the Daily News, "While we continue to hope that Albany will reach agreement on a comprehensive plan for the MTA, we have no choice but to move toward implementation of these cuts and fare increases."

After a public hearing which was full of passion and anger, the MTA's board approved its 2009 budget, which includes service cuts and a 23% increase in revenue from fare and tolls hikes. The MTA is facing a $1.2 billion budget deficit next year, and it's expected a monthly unlimited Metrocard could cost more than $100 while bus lines and subway stops are limited.

The MTA's board will be voting on the so-called Doomsday budget this morning. Since the MTA faces billion-dollar deficits with no help in sight (aside from the State approving the Ravitch Commission recommendations), the board is expected to pass the plan that includes big fare hikes and drastic service cuts.