Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Andrew Cuomo

Watch Your Wallet, Straphangers – It’s Budget Season In Albany

With one month until a budget is due (admittedly not the strictest deadline in Albany), Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature have to close a deficit nearing $10 billion. Since Cuomo has ruled out any new taxes, he hasn't left himself with many options. So there's no doubt that further incursions on dedicated transit funds are at least on the table, and that this year's raids could cost even more than the $160 million taken last year.

The best hope for transit is to raise the political price of raiding dedicated funds. Cuomo and the legislature have to realize that every time they steal the MTA's dedicated funds, they're pushing more service cuts, more fare hikes, and a return to 70s-style disrepair on transit riders. And they have to be convinced that straphangers realize it too.

To help build that pressure, Transportation Alternatives' Rider Rebellion has launched a new campaign urging transit riders to "Watch Your Wallet." DNAinfo reports on yesterday's "mobile protest," where T.A. alerted riders on the A train.

T.A. urged subway riders to contact Cuomo and warn him against another raid on the MTA. You can e-mail the governor here to tell him not to steal from transit to pay for the state's budget woes.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Beach Reading: Zohran Mamdani’s Answers to Streetsblog’s Mayoral Candidate Survey

Spend the holiday weekend with Zohran Mamdani's answers to Streetsblog's mayoral candidate questionnaire.

July 4, 2025

Friday Video: Why NYC Needs ‘Low-Traffic Neighborhoods’

London's Church Street, like so many of our business corridors, was choking on cars — until the advent of the low-traffic neighborhood.

July 4, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: E-Bikes in Parks … Permanently Edition

The Parks Department will permanently allow e-bikes in city parks following a two-year pilot. Plus more news.

July 4, 2025

Anti-Miracle On 34th Street: Adams Administration Pauses Work On 34th Street Busway

The highly-anticipated 34th Street busway may not happen under Mayor Adams after all, sources said.

July 3, 2025

Manhattan DA Says Alleged Central Park Hit-and-Run Cyclist Didn’t Flee, Drops Charges

Prosecutors said the 30-year-old cyclist "remained on the scene for about 45 minutes after the crash and waited for paramedics to arrive to treat the injured person."

Sean Duffy’s ‘Great America Road Trip’ Wants You to Drive to Central Park

Sean Duffy's "Great American Road Trip" encourages Americans to drive to sites in the most transit-rich and car-choked parts of the country.

July 3, 2025
See all posts