Albany blocks bill to guarantee Staten Island representation on MTA board

"Legislation that would have mandated a voting seat for Staten Island on the MTA board has again stalled in the state Assembly after being voted against in the committee earlier this week. Assembly Member Michael Tannousis (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) introduced A.4605 to ensure each borough has direct representation on the state-run transit agency's 23-member board, a powerful authority that oversees the largest public transit system in the country."

"Currently, NYC's mayor can recommend four members to the board; the other members are recommended by the county executives of nearby service-area counties: Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland and Putnam. There is, however, no legal requirement that the NYC appointees represent specific boroughs, Tannousis explained. He said the bill was introduced to address the lack of direct representation for Staten Island residents, who currently do not have a seat on the board despite being part of the MTA service region."

"“Staten Islanders pay into the MTA system just like every other borough, yet we are expected to accept having no voice at the table where critical transportation decisions are made,” Tannousis said. “That is unacceptable. This legislation was about fairness, accountability and ensuring every borough has direct representation on one of the most powerful public authorities in the state.”"

"Under the proposal, five of the MTA's voting members would be appointed specifically to represent each New York City borough. The legislation would also maintain balanced representation throughout the broader MTA service territory, the Assembly member explained. Although Staten Island does not have an underground subway system, it does rely heavily on the MTA's services, including express and local buses, the Staten Island Railway, and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, for which cars pay $7.46 with E-ZPass t"

Legislation to require a voting seat for Staten Island on the MTA board stalled again in the state Assembly after being voted against in committee. Assembly Member Michael Tannousis introduced A.4605 to ensure each borough has direct representation on the 23-member, state-run transit authority that oversees the largest public transit system in the country. The mayor can recommend four board members, while other members are recommended by county executives in the MTA service area. There is no legal requirement that NYC appointees represent specific boroughs, leaving Staten Island without a seat despite paying into the system. The proposal would appoint five voting members to represent each NYC borough while maintaining balanced representation across the broader service territory.

Read at www.amny.com