Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick, 66th Assembly District, announced the signing into law of her bill (A.6339) by the Governor. This legislation will enable the City University of New York (CUNY) to implement a qualified transportation fringe benefit program. Under this program all employees of CUNY, both in the community college and senior college divisions will be able to use pre-tax salary deductions to purchase qualified transportation benefits such as monthly transit passes.

“It is important that we address the failure to include CUNY employees in already negotiated transportation benefit programs available to other State and City employees. Even without a transit fare increase, these workers are sacrificing their dwindling purchasing power to high transportation costs” explained Glick. “Workers who choose to take advantage of this program can save money. Access to this program is crucial in this slowed down economy,” Glick stated.

Based on the participation rate of the City of New York’s 100,000 eligible employees, CUNY estimates that 13% of its 30,000 employees would participate in this benefit.

The bill is carried in the Senate by Senator Kenneth Lavalle.