Westchester Considers Suing the MTA

Westchester County Legislator John Testa (R-Peekskill) announced today he's introducing legislation in which Westchester would  file  a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Testa was joined at the Cortlandt Train Station this morning by Putnam County Legislature Chairman Vinny Tamagna, saying the so-called "Payroll" or "Mobility" tax is unconstitutional. Tamagna called it ,"Taxation without representation," adding that the MTA doesn't even provide service in Putnam County.

Testa called the MTA Payroll Tax an "egregious tax" that unfairly burdens Westchester County businesses to the point that many are leaving the County. He says he's hopeful his proposal to join forces with Nassau County and sue the MTA over the tax, will receive broad, bi-partisan support on the County Board of Legislators. Said Testa, " At a time where counties such as Westchester are consolidating departments, overtime, pension benefits and health care costs, the MTA has done a poor job of finding ways to cut costs."

Testa cited a recent audit from New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli which found overtime rampant in the MTA.  DiNapoli found over 140 MTA employees literally doubled their annual salaries through overtime pay in 2009. And, some 3200 MTA employees received overtime pay  equal to at least half of their annual salary last year. In 77% of the transactions checked, auditors found that the overtime was either unjustified or that no records were kept.