Prohibits fringe benefit for members of the metropolitan transportation authority

Title of bill

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to prohibiting fringe benefit for members of the metropolitan transportation authority

Purpose

Prohibits fringe benefit for members of the metropolitan transportation authority.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Legislative Findings The legislature, enacts this legislation to curb the practice of allowing free access for current and former metropolitan transportation authority board members to the New York state thruway via the E-Z pass or other tolling system.

Section 2. Subdivision 2 of section 1263 of the public authorities law, as amended by chapter 55 of the laws of 1992, is amended to include that the chairman and the first vice chairman shall be paid a salary in the amount determined by the authority; but shall not receive any fringe benefit constituting value including, but not limited to, free or reduced access to or passage on any bridge, tunnel, roadway or waterway operated by the state of New York or agency or authority thereof, or the port authority of New York and New Jersey; the other members shall not, in consideration for their service, receive a salary, fringe benefit constituting value, or other compensation including, but not limited to, free or reduced access to or passage on any bridge, tunnel, roadway or waterway operated by the state of New York or agency or authority thereof, or the port authority of New York and New Jersey.

Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

The practice of issuing E-Z Pass and Metro Card tags to current and former MTA board members is illegal, since board members by law are to serve without salary or "other compensation." At a time when soaring fuel prices make it extremely difficult for most New Yorkers to afford to fill up their vehicles with gas, the MTA board members, like all other governmental agencies, must follow the law like everyone else, and not be given free rides. Not only have current and former MTA board members used the free travel passes, but nearly a dozen of their spouses of past or present board members have been granted the free commuter rail passes, even though they never served on the panel. Nearly 60 past and present board members have free E-ZPass accounts, some members having four, six or even eight tags to use for other cars they own. The free, taxpayer funded E-ZPass tags that the MTA authorizes are at the direct expense of the consumers. The hardworking taxpayers of New York should not have to foot the bill for top - paid executives, especially in difficult economic times. The public authorities in our state have enormous economic power, and it is vital that they act within the law and are careful with how they spend taxpayer dollars.

Legislative history

2008: S.8397 - Passed Senate

Fiscal implications

Undetermined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.