Recently, the MTA proposed a payroll tax on all local employers. I am opposed to this proposal because it would harm small businesses and lead to further job losses among our workforce.

The proposal would require all New York City employers, including not-for-profits and those who are self-employed, to pay one-third of one percent of wages to support the MTA, even if their employees do not use mass transit.

This is particularly insulting to the people of Staten Island because we have never received our fair share of public transportation infrastructure from the MTA. The MTA’s failure to adequately serve the people of Staten Island has resulted in a good portion of our traffic problems here and now they want to charge Staten Island businesses and commuters more.

With Staten Island’s economy suffering and families having a hard time making ends meet, the last thing we need is to enact a tax increase that could lead to further layoffs.

Just as local families are doing, the MTA should find ways to reduce its own expenses before considering a tax increase. According to a State Comptroller's report from last November, the MTA employs 70,000 people, including those in non-essential and redundant position. Among these employees are a total of 444 public relations professionals. The recent scandal in which LIRR employees received improper retirement-disability payments is further evidence that the MTA needs to increase accountability within its own budget.