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July 21, 2010
Eliminating Station Booth Agents Still a Bad Idea, Says Millman
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The Eagle republishes 52nd District Assemblymember Joan Millman's July 14th testimony on the MTA's pending token-booth closings and station-clerk layoffs.
While we are in the midst of the worst recession this country has faced in over 75 years and the state must make difficult financial decisions, safe and affordable public transportation is an absolute necessity. We must look at every available option to sustain mass transit, including East River tolls, because a properly funded transit system provides intangible long-term benefits to the overall health and growth of our city. We must find a balanced approach which combines a reasonable amount of state funding with other funding sources.
...Unfortunately, the MTA’s financial mismanagement does not stop here. I am still stunned that the MTA sold the Atlantic Yards property for less than half its own appraised value of over $200 million. What did the MTA get in return for this sweetheart deal? Not enough! The MTA ought to be acting in the best interests of the public, not subsidizing deep-pocketed developers.
Posted by eric at July 21, 2010 10:58 AM