New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. issued the following statement after the State Senate Majority proposed funding streams for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA):

The Senate Majority’s efforts to address the MTA’s deficit while avoiding vast service cuts and an overwhelming fare hike is an important first step to protect the working people – and all New Yorkers – who depend on transit.

The Senate’s proposal also rejects the inequitable proposal for East River and Harlem River bridge tolls, which I opposed because they would unfairly target residents and small business owners in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Upper Manhattan.

I remain a strong believer in charging all those who benefit from mass transit for mass transit, which includes drivers. My proposal for a weight-based vehicle registration across the 12-county MTA region would do just that, and I hope it will be considered as the debate over the capital program continues.

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