Public Finance lawyer named to MTA board

Jonathan Ballon, a public finance lawyer, is the newest MTA Board member. The New York State Senate confirmed Ballon yesterday to a six-year term. He was appointed to the board by Gov. Andrew Cuomo at the suggestion of Robert P. Astorino, the county executive of Westchester, and is likely replacing Donald Cecil, a holdover appointee whose term had expired in 2009.

A Business Wire piece has a bit more on Ballon’s background: “Mr. Ballan is a Member of the law firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. and heads the firm’s New York Public Finance practice group. He has served for many years in a number of significant appointed governmental positions, including as Chairman of the Municipal Assistance Corporation for the City of New York, Chairman of the New York State Public Asset Fund, and Board Member and Chairman of the Capital Committee of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation.”

Ballon reported has “broad experience developing innovative legal structures for financings for numerous state and local governments.” At a time when the MTA’s finances are on a shaky foundation, his expertise could come in handy.