Hudson Valley State Senators Want East River Tolls Instead Of MTA Payroll Tax
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - Five Republican New York State Senators say ditching the payroll tax in favor of East River tolls would bring in another $100 million for the MTA next year.
WCBS 880's Paul Murnane With Drivers On Manhattan's East Side
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They say it's not a matter of pulling out the rug from beneath transit.
State Senator John Bonacic, who represents a district including part of Orange County, says the MTA hasn't improved service to the suburbs since the payroll tax was enacted.
He calls it taxation without transportation and he says businesses gripe about the tax.
But some drivers out on the roads say they would end up taking the fall.
"I think it's ridiculous," said one man. "No way, Jose."
"Its not fair," another man said.
One driver responded with a bona fide New York fuggetaboutit. In his words, "They'll bury us all."
The other State Senators calling for this are Gregory Ball, William Larkin, Stephen Saland, and Lee Zeldin.
The bridges that would be tolled are the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge, and the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge.
