The bailout would avert double-digit fare increases and service cuts scheduled for next month.
But the question is, why did this take so long?
"It took us this long because we were dealt a mess. The MTA is in a mess," Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith said.
Smith met privately with key suburban senators in opposition into the evening Monday.
The key concession -- special funding to school districts to exempt them from the payroll tax that would help fund the bailout.
Democratic Gov. David Paterson proposed the so-called bullet aid for schools as a way to get enough votes for the bailout.
After hours of negotiation, Senators Brian Foley and Craig Johnson agreed to the funding bill, giving Democrats enough support to get the bill passed.
Another big change in the funding bill is a lower taxi surcharge fee, which goes back to 50-cents. The fee is expected to raise $95 million a year, all of which would go to the MTA.
A bailout also means the MTA can reverse its earlier decision to end about two-dozen bus routes and two subway lines.
Other parts of the bill include:
VOTE: What do you think of the MTA bailout deal?
Governor Paterson basically gave up on a quick way to pay for big capital projects like the 2nd Avenue Subway.
He said the immediate goal was closing the MTA's budget gap to avoid major fare increases and service cuts, now just weeks away.
Earlier day on Monday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg argued against a short-term solution.
"There is no painless option, but the issues will be no simpler a few months from now than they are today, which is why Albany must find a permanent stream of funding for capital projects – not next fall, but right now," he said.
NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign welcomed the plan to avert massive fare hikes and service cuts, but agreed with the mayor about the funding of capital projects.
"Both transit operating and capital needs are closely related," the Straphangers wrote in a statement. "The fare is how much you pay, service is what you get and capital improvements determine the quality of the ride, such as whether you are riding on a delay-plagued 42-year-old car or are at the mercy of a creaky 80 year-old signals."
Governor Paterson said he'd like to see a vote on this plan by Wednesday.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's office sounded optimistic about the plan's chances.
"We're encouraged by the agreement in the Senate and are prepared to act immediately to save the fair and prevent massive service cuts. We remain hopeful that the final bill will include at least some funding for the next MTA Capital Plan," Dan Weiller, Silver's press secretary, said.
----
FINANCING
Payroll Tax (schools held harmless through reimbursement)
Drivers License Fee
Motor vehicle registration
Auto Rental Fee
Taxi surcharge
Total revenue raised $1.76 billion
Capital:
REFORM PACKAGE
Preventing Abuse:
Transparency / Accountability
Governance of MTA
MTA Contracting
NEW YORK AND TRI-STATE AREA NEWS
USEFUL LINKS:
