Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick), the Ranking Minority Member on the Assembly Transportation Committee, today criticized the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in their latest attempt to borrow $6.9 billion for a one-shot revenue raiser while saddling taxpayers with long-term debt. Noting the continual pattern of fiscal recklessness and irresponsible management, McDonough stated that this latest gimmick would only create additional financial troubles for future residents of Long Island.

“In a time when small businesses and taxpayers are adhering to fiscal austerity, the MTA is once again asking for a hand-out instead of making tough financial decisions to balance its budget and cut wasteful spending,” said McDonough. “The same small businesses and taxpayers who already are forced to pay the egregious payroll tax should not continue to be the scapegoat for the MTA’s mismanagement and bloated bureaucracy. Albany will not stand for an increase in fares or additional borrowing until there are structural reforms in their budget.”

If approved, the borrowing would be used to help close a $9 billion budget gap in the MTA’s capital budget. However, it also would heap more debt on an agency that already uses 17 percent of its budget to pay for its growing debt.

“More borrowing to fuel the already out-of-control spending is not the answer to this mess. Lawmakers should seriously consider a complete overhaul of the MTA and work toward legislation that will make them more accountable to the thousands of Long Islanders it serves. Our residents deserve an MTA that’s healthy for our region’s transit system.”