MTA Payroll Tax Discussed at Sayville Chamber Meeting

The election may be over, but talk of the MTA Tax continues. At Tuesday's meeting of the Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce, the issue was again front and center as Cheryl Jimerson, director of communications for Bill Schoolman—owner of Hampton Luxury Liner— discussed a lawsuit filed by Schoolman in an effort to have the MTA Tax overturned.

In addition, State Sen.-elect Lee Zeldin was also in attendance at the chamber of commerce meeting at to discuss the issue and whether the MTA Tax might be repealed.

Jimerson said the mismanagement of the MTA led to a deficit that is being filled with a tax that is unfair and unconstitutional. She likened the MTA to an octopus that just grabs everything in sight. "The octopus is going to keep reaching out. It's never going to be enough for the MTA," she said. "Nobody knows how to burn your tax dollars better than the MTA."

Faced with a $1.8 billion budget gap for the MTA, in 2009, Democratic leadership in the Assembly and Senate along with Governor David Paterson instituted the MTA payroll tax, which calls for businesses, municipalities, school districts, non-profit organizations and hospitals to pay 34 cents per $100 of payroll. 

Schoolman's lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court, claims that the measure is considered a special law and failed to be passed by the required two-thirds majority of the state legislature. The tax, therefore, violates that state constitution. 

According to Jimerson, since Schoolman filed the lawsuit, nine municipalities as well as the William Floyd School District have filed similar suits, declaring that the tax is being unfairly imposed on every entity that has a payroll in the 12 counties that make up the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District.

The payroll tax was a key issue in the campaign in the race, where Democrat incumbent Brian Foley, who provided a key vote in favor of the tax, was defeated Zeldin.  

At Tuesday evening's chamber meeting, Zeldin made his first public appearance as Senator-elect. He acknowledged that a repeal of the tax will probably not pass the Assembly. However, he said, "It is an illegal tax and it should be overturned by the courts."

Zeldin, who is in favor of repealing the payroll tax, pointed out that schools, hospitals, businesses and non-profit organizations are non-users of the MTA, but are being forced to subsidize the rides of those who do use the MTA.

Election of Officers

The Sayville Chamber of Commerce also elected its officers for 2011. They are as follows:

• President - Rich Trpicovsky
• 1st Vice President - Bill Etts
• 2nd Vice President - Stephanie Behan.
• Secretary - Dave Smith
• Treasurer - Eileen Woolley
• Immediate Past President - Dave Lent
• Presidents Emeritus - Ann Morrison, Simon Stein

Directors Beginning First Year of Two-Year Term

• Kay Cameron
• Caroline P. Sweezey
• Cliff Korade
• Sharon Boyle
• John Cox
• Jackie Amato
• Don Frislid

Directors Beginning Second Year of Two-Year Term

• Jay Miller
• Pam Raymond
• Barbara Whitbread
• William C. Hoover
• Dr. Christine Gizoni
• Pat Zink
• Janet Berger
• Richard De Clemente
• Jacquee Gustafson
• Jennifer Gross