Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, released the following statement in response to the MTA’s latest proposal for deep service cuts to subways and buses, which includes nearly 9,000 layoffs:
“These drastic cuts could still be avoided if Mitch McConnell and President Trump would work with Democrats to pass a COVID relief package that includes funding for public transit. House Democrats passed a relief bill in May and since this summer, I have been pushing for robust funding to support the transit workers, essential workers, and millions of New Yorkers who rely on public transit for a safe, reliable way to get where they need to go. It’s time for Mitch McConnell to stop playing politics, and show up to the table ready to help rebuild our economy.”
Gillibrand previously sent a letter to Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell requesting at least an additional $3.9 billion in federal funding for the MTA to be included in upcoming COVID-19 federal legislation to address the massive budget deficit the transit agency is facing through the end of this year due to revenue losses and increased COVID-19-related expenses.