Candidate says cuts would adversely affect Long Island residents

February 21, 2012 – Congressional candidate Randy Altschuler today backed efforts by a bipartisan group of local lawmakers seeking to strike a provision from the House transportation legislation that would eliminate a dedicated funding stream from the Mass Transit Account started during President Ronald Reagan’s administration.

Altschuler said that without a dedicated funding source, Long Island residents would see their fair share of tax revenues distributed to other parts of country, while LIRR passengers would be subject to higher commuting costs and worsening safety and reliability.

“I am committed to cutting federal spending overall, and making sure the federal dollars we do spend are allocated more efficiently,” said Altschuler, who backs other measures in the legislation aimed at reducing our dependence on foreign oil and lowering gas prices. “However, I cannot support eliminating a dedicated funding source for mass transit due to the adverse impact it would have on the LIRR and our residents who depend on it. Such a move could be devastating to Long Island residents and our already struggling economy.”

The Mass Transit Account, initially enacted by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, is currently funded by a portion of federal gas tax revenue. An amendment to preserve the Mass Transit Account in the Highway Trust Fund has been put forth by Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler and supported by New York Republicans Reps. Nan Hayworth, Chris Gibson, Michael Grimm, and Bob Turner.

“Since President Reagan was in office, there has always been strong bipartisan support for dedicated mass transit funding, particularly here in New York,” said Altschuler. “I support our local lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in making this stand on behalf of Long Island and our region. Long Island taxpayers already send too much money to Washington without seeing any return. Eliminating dedicated funding for mass transit would only make it worse.”