Lockbox Bill on Governor's Desk; 200 Groups Ask Signature

The MTA transit funds lockbox bill, S. 3837 (Golden) A. 5084 (Brennan) has been sent to Governor Cuomo's desk, triggering a ten-day period during which the Governor must consider it. If he doesn't veto, it automatically becomes law. The bill would mandate that an "impact statement" be released upon any diversion of transit funds for other purposes. This requirement would do a lot to stop the secret transfer of supposedly dedicated transit funds that has been a continuing feature of state government, and thus bolster the MTA's budget. Local 100 President John Samuelsen, is one of the signatories of a letter sent to the Governor yesterday by 200 groups, urging him to sign the bill. The letter says in part: ""Raiding dedicated transit funds is poor policy, and a breach of trust with the public who rightly believe that transit funds should go to improving transit." Read the letter here. Read the press release here.