For More Information Contact:
Michael A. Ellison (845) 486-2103
The Dutchess County Legislature, with the passage of resolution 2010258 at its September 13th Board Meeting, will request that the County Attorney and the County Executive to explore “with the intent of litigating” the option to join in Nassau County’s lawsuit against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Payroll Tax according to Chairman Rob Rolison (R-Poughkeepsie).
“The MTA Payroll Tax is an oppressive burden on the governments, businesses, and families of Dutchess County. This cost, mandated by the state Legislature, is part of the problem that drives so many from our County and from our region,” said Rolison.
Adding insult to injury the current make-up of the MTA board only permits the counties of Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, and Putnam to share one vote on a 16 member board. The unfair representation and inequitable tax is a product of the state Legislature’s status quo leadership and their tax, spend mentality.
“We should be thankful that Nassau County has begun this movement to stop an unfair money grab forced on our region by state Democrats. Republicans in Albany are doing all they can to stop the MTA Payroll Tax, but the state government status quo that is one-party rule and New York City centric continues to block their advances. With this lawsuit we hope to gain an edge and free our County from the fiscal chains that bind us to an inept state authority,” said Assistant Majority Leader Angela E. Flesland (R-Poughkeepsie).
“Counties and towns from throughout our state are joining us to stop the MTA’s job-killing Payroll Tax,” said Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano. “Together with Dutchess County, we can present a united front to protect residents from the MTA’s mismanagement and waste of our tax dollars.”
Several municipalities have already joined Nassau’s lawsuit against the MTA while Putnam and Orange consider the option. For 2010 alone, the MTA Payroll Tax cost Dutchess County government and its taxpayers over $400,000. The Nassau lawsuit challenges the legality and constitutionality of the inequitable MTA Payroll Tax and demands reimbursement for taxes already paid to the state from MTA counties.
