State Businesses Urge Lawmakers to Fund MTA’s $68B Capital Plan
ALBANY—New York State’s largest association of business organizations told lawmakers here it is “imperative” for them to fully fund the MTA’s $68.4 billion capital program, which is now being considered.
In a letter to elected officials, the Business Council of New York State wrote that the MTA is the “engine that powers our state’s economy, moving over five million people daily, enabling commerce and facilitating economic expansion across every sector.”
Joseph Alston, director of Government Affairs for the Business Council of New York State, noted to lawmakers: “A fully funded $68.4-billion investment in vital infrastructure is not just necessary, it is imperative for sustaining economic growth, strengthening businesses and ensuring New York remains a national and global leader in commerce and innovation.”
The Business Council noted that millions of workers depend on the MTA’s transit system, earning a collective $187 billion in wages that drive local economies. The letter also noted that the MTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan is an “economic powerhouse” that is projected to generate $106 billion in economic output that supports 72,000 jobs annually.
The Business Council labeled as “fiscally irresponsible” any deferring of necessary upgrades and maintenance that could lead to exponentially higher costs in the future. “The pattern of underfunding and delaying improvements has already resulted in deteriorating infrastructure, increased emergency repairs and ballooning costs. A fully funded Capital Plan ensures that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently.”
On March 21, the Business Council released a statement in response to reports of possible business tax hikes being imposed by state lawmakers to fund the MTA. The statement, in essence, read: “More taxes on private-sector businesses cannot be the solution to addressing the MTA’s ongoing budget issues.”
Published: March 25, 2025.