Westchester Assemblyman George Latimer, who has taken the lead in fighting for improved service on Metro North’s New Haven Line, will be hosting a Commuters Speak Out for those who have been affected by reduced and poor quality Metro North service over the past few months.
The event will be held:
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Wednesday, May 25, 7:30 - 9:15 p.m.
Mamaroneck Town Center Courtroom, 740 W. Boston Post Rd., Mamaroneck.
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Who's Invited? Anyone who wants to attend to speak or listen.
The program agenda will allow attendees to “Speak Out” about their experiences this past winter and spring, and a priority list of concerns will be developed. Latimer hopes to create a small working group of commuters who will meet with Metro North officials, on an on-going basis, to fully hear the voice of the riding public.
Light refreshments will be available. For more information, contact Assemblyman Latimer’s office at 914-777-3832 or by e-mail at LatimerG@assembly.state.ny.us
For those who may not be able to attend the Commuter Speak Out, Latimer and County Legislator Judy Myers will be holding regular District Office Hours on the prior Saturday, May 21 in Rye at Ruby’s on Purchase Street (9:30 - 11:15 a.m.) and at the Nautilus Diner on the Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck (2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.); all topics can be discussed at these Coffee Hour Conversations.
Eliminate a tax that has riled suburbanites since imposed by the State in 2009: the MTA payroll tax, known officially as the MTA mobility tax. Latimer’s sponsored bill, A.5616, would rescind the tax throughout the MTA’s 12 county region, including Westchester.
“At the time the MTA payroll tax was enacted, we were promised that this was an essential revenue stream for the MTA that would help make the authority solvent. We were told the tax was required to maintain basic services to riders, and to lessen the frequency of rate hikes for those commuters. In fact, we’ve had a two year experience of less service, higher-than-expected fares, and a continual cry for more money to solve the MTA’s budget woes”, Latimer stated.
Subway fares have been held at the base rate of $2.25, but commuter rail rates have increased. Assemblyman Latimer highlighted the miserable experiences of New Haven Line riders this year, struggling through bad (and good) weather days with a minimum of operating equipment, packed trains, late trains, and the like.
“The people will not stand for a continuation of the low level of service we’ve seen lately", he noted.
The repeal bill has gained a healthy number of co-signers, generally suburban legislators of both parties. The payroll tax is levied on schools, local governments, not-for-profit organizations, and self-employed individuals, as well as on businesses both large and small. The 12 county MTA region includes Suffolk and Nassau Counties on Long Island; Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, and Rockland Counties in the Hudson Valley, along with Westchester County and the five boroughs of New York City.
Those in support of repeal can contact Assemblyman Latimer by e-mail at LatimerG@assembkly.state.ny.us. A similar bill is expected in the State Senate shortly.
For more information, contact Assemblyman Latimer, 518-455-4897 or 914-777-3832.
