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"The controversial MTA payroll tax — which imposes a 34 cent tariff on every $100 that employers pay towards salaries — is unconstitutional, a state supreme court judge ruled today.
The ruling comes after several Long Island municipalities filed suit against the state legislature for imposing the tax in 2009.
They argued that Nassau County residents were unfairly burdened by the law, which applies only 12-counties in the MTA region.
Judge R. Bruce Cozzens found that the tax violated state law because it was passed without a “home rule” message, which allows the state to take up local matters.
“If this matter really is a substantial state concern, then the legislature could have reasonably taxed every county within the state under a general tax law,” he wrote in the decision.
The MTA said it expects the ruling to be overturned on appeal.
“We will vigorously appeal today’s ruling,” spokesman Adam Lisberg said.
“We believe this opinion will be overturned, since four prior challenges to the constitutionality of the law making the same argument have been dismissed.”
The mobility tax was passed to plug severe MTA budget shortfalls. It raises around $1.5 billion a year for the agency."
... if they eventually slay the beast will everyone be entitled to refunds, and of course, will MTA transit costs finally skyrocket so those riders pay their way?
Ha, good question; would be nice but never gonna happen, not with the MTA.
Dorothy if you had a NY state corporation, wait till you try to dissolve it. "Oh we never charged you this, you never paid for that"....my DH said "it's like the mafia, easy to get in, impossible to get out".
I would love to have the percentage we paid into that ridiculous tax refunded.
Quote:
Originally Posted by okaydorothy
Me too. Does that mean I can get a refund for the past few years.
You guys realize that if they uphold this decision, it means service cuts for MTA including the Long Island Railroad which will equal more cars on the road ,which all of you here complain about all the time on this forum. We need these people on the train so the people who taking the train is not an option could drive quicker to work.
MTA does need this funding. Yes they are mismanaged but they have cut a lot of fat already in management.
They are also furthering their cuts by being more efficient with less
You guys realize that if they uphold this decision, it means service cuts for MTA including the Long Island Railroad which will equal more cars on the road ,which all of you here complain about all the time on this forum. We need these people on the train so the people who taking the train is not an option could drive quicker to work.
MTA does need this funding. Yes they are mismanaged but they have cut a lot of fat already in management.
They are also furthering their cuts by being more efficient with less
MTA absolutely doe NOT need this funding. They pay nearly 80% of revenue into compensation and benefits. A decently run private company allocates ~40% of revenue to compensation.
You guys realize that if they uphold this decision, it means service cuts for MTA including the Long Island Railroad which will equal more cars on the road ,which all of you here complain about all the time on this forum. We need these people on the train so the people who taking the train is not an option could drive quicker to work.
MTA does need this funding. Yes they are mismanaged but they have cut a lot of fat already in management.
They are also furthering their cuts by being more efficient with less
You guys realize that if they uphold this decision, it means service cuts for MTA
And that's the concern of the people who use the RR. YOU make up the shortfall. Someone who owns a business on LI with one or two employees that has nothing to do with commuting shouldn't be saddled with this tax.
And that's the concern of the people who use the RR. YOU make up the shortfall. Someone who owns a business on LI with one or two employees that has nothing to do with commuting shouldn't be saddled with this tax.
Actually its a concern for all who drive because cut in service means Railroad users will then drive instead of taking the train and make the traffic situation on Long Island that much worse.
To give an example. I live Bay Shore/BayWood on LI and I work in Garden City Park/New Hyde Park. On a good day it takes me an hour to get home and on a bad day sometimes up to hour and half during the rush hour which outside of the rush hour is a 30 minute drive. We need to promote mass transit so the people who HAVE to drive to their drives have more room on the road.
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