Two days ago, Democrats from the State Senate unveiled a universally panned plan to rescue the MTA. Since then, the politicking has trickled to a stop, and as Gov. Paterson and Senate leaders attempt to hammer out a plan, the MTA’s Doomsday clock is ticking closer to 12.
In four days, the MTA’s finance committee will meet to approve a fare hike. In six days, the entire board will vote to approve those hikes and numerous service cuts. Meanwhile, Paterson is lashing out at Senate leaders. Glenn Blain reports:
Gov. Paterson launched a radio offensive against fellow Democrats Thursday, accusing lawmakers of “hijacking” the effort to bail out the MTA and save straphangers.
In a three-station blitz, Paterson said Senate Democrats have been unable or unwilling to make the tough decisions needed to save riders from the crushing fare hikes and service cuts. “This is just a classic example of Albany thinking it can make up its own rules,” Paterson said on WOR’s John Gambling Show…
Paterson ripped the Democratic plan Thursday as incomplete and said it was done largely just to win public favor. “Either you’re going to have to put tolls on the bridges or you’re going to have to increase the fare dramatically,” Paterson said. “You can’t go in a third direction.”
At this late hour, Paterson is right, but it’s of little consolation. Unless the State Senate acts quickly and smartly, straphangers will be left paying more for worse service. That’s no way to treat a transit system.
3 comments
The best thing the American taxpayer could do for transit is take away their politicians’ chauffeurs.
Paterson is the last politician you want to take transit by himself. But otherwise, I’m with you. In Israel, one politician with a reputation for honesty used to ride the bus to the Knesset every day; when he was appointed minister of some department, security insisted that he be given a car, but he made sure to get the cheapest make available.
Paterson is the leader of the democratic party for the state he needs to look in the mirror before blaming anyone. He has been a disgrace as a governor so far!