Assemblyman Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) commended Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for issuing a letter to MTA Chair and CEO Pat Foye, calling for a timely completion of an MTA forensic audit and for calling on the Inspector General to review of the integrity of the MTA's procurement and inventory control systems.

“For many years the MTA has spent billions and billions of dollars on unnecessary projects and then asked for fare increases, claiming that there’s not enough money to continue with some other wasteful ideas. I believe that for far too long the taxpayers have been paying the price of the MTA’s wasteful policies. I have said it before and, I will say it again. Riders and taxpayers can no longer afford that the public transportation system becomes antiquated and unsafe while the MTA continues to go forward with its lack of transparency and accountability,” Colton stated.

“That is why I am pleased that the Governor included the requirements of a forensic audit as one of the reforms of transparency in the governing structure of accountability in how such monies are spent by the MTA and NYCTA,” Colton said.

“The MTA Board has recently unanimously approved a $52 billion Capital Plan. We must make sure that the MTA will spend this money toward making neighborhood stations handicapped accessible, such as Kings Highway station on the “N” line and Kings Highway on the “F” line, which are currently included in the 2020-24 Capital Plan as well as other critical improvements in the infrastructure. I am very grateful that Governor Cuomo decided to issue an MTA forensic audit and at the same time called on the Inspector General to review the MTA’s inventory control systems. I think this is a good way to monitor the use of monies given to the MTA,” Colton added.