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The Straphangers Campaign today responded to proposals just made by the MTA in its budgeting and financial reporting, calling the agencyís move a “good first step” but renewing its call for more “much more sweeping changes.”
The campaign urged the MTA to support state legislation that would create an Independent Budget Office for the MTA; a computerized registry of MTA contracts; a more independent MTA Inspector General; and new joint legislative-executive oversight board. These reforms are contained in legislation introduced by State Assembly Member Richard Brodsky (Assembly Bill 7998.)
The campaign also renewed its support for a proposal by State Comptroller Alan Hevesi, who plans to issue regulations mandating the MTA to “submit its budget and financial plan in a manner that is transparent, reasonable and timely.”
The proposed changes announced by the MTA today include an earlier timetable for releasing its budget; a chance for public comment on the agency's four-year financial plan and its budget before adoption; and an informal group of advisors to assist the MTA in developing new reporting procedures and formats.
“The MTAís budget reforms are a good first step, but more sweeping changes are needed to restore public confidence,” said Gene Russianoff, staff attorney for the campaign. Russianoff also noted that if the MTA is serious, it will seek legislation to make the agencyís proposals permanent.
“The MTA is clearly responding to shocking revelations by city and state comptrollers, our lawsuit to win new hearings and rider outrage,” said State Senator Eric Schneiderman, counsel to the Straphangers Campaign in a lawsuit contending that the MTA violated its legal duty to provide accurate information before raising subway, bus and commuter rail fares and ordering the closing of subway station booths.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign, New York State Senate Democratic Leader David A. Paterson and several transit riders. Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Roger Toussaint has also intervened on the side of the plaintiffs.
The suit is based on findings by State Comptroller Alan Hevesi and City Comptroller William Thompson, who have filed affidavits in support of the case. Comptroller Hevesi concluded that the MTA hid a surplus of more than $500 million in 2002 while calling for fare increases.
The plaintiffs are represented by Tom Shanahan and Anthony LoPresti of the law firm Shanahan and Associates, P.C.; Daniel Bright of the law firm of Kennedy, Schwartz and Cure; Lisa De Linsday; and Eric Schneiderman, New York State Senator for the 31st District. Schneiderman represented the Straphangers Campaign in a 1995 civil rights lawsuit against a subway and bus fare hike.
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