ADVOCACY ALERT:  PROPOSED MTA TAX AND ITS IMPACT ON OUR SCHOOLS!

Please pay attention to the latest proposal on the MTA Bailout......

"Long Island schools' ticket price for the latest version of the MTA bailout just leaped by $12.2 million with the inclusion of a retroactive payroll tax to January 2009. That brings an unbudgeted expense of $36.6 million for Long Island schools to "absorb" in already bare bones budgets: $12.2 through June 2009, and $24.4 million from 2009-10 budgets." 

The bill number is S4487A and was sponsored by Senator Martin Dilan (D-Brooklyn).  It was difficult to find because it is listed under "Vehicle and Traffic Law." Along with the Payroll Tax ( which is listed as being retroactive to January 1, 2009) the bill contains....................

  1)   25-30% increase in drivers licenses and learner's permits.

 2) $25 per year increase in car registration fees.

 3)  $1.00 additional taxi fee

 4) Additional 5% sales tax on car rentals (currently 13.625%). 

All of these fees will be charged only on those residents in the MTA area .  

The State Senate went into recess until Monday, so along with calling Albany, you should contact your elected representatives in their local offices on Friday.  Let them know how this bill will impact you and your family.  The contact information for the Governor and State Senate Majority Leader is below.

Governor David A. Paterson Phone: 518-474-8390 Fax: 518-474-1513

Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith  Phone: 518-455-2701 Fax: 518-455-2816

•  Advocacy Alert re: mid year school aid cuts, November 2008
• Property Tax Caps Info is a white paper detailing issues and objectives of Property Tax Caps. 
• Where We Stand is the official position of PTA on a broad variety of issues.