April 22, 2009

As the Legislature and governor continue to negotiate on a bailout of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Assemblyman Peter Rivera, D-Bronx, is pushing a proposal to raise $2 billion a year by taxing jet-fuel sales. His plan would raise the state levy on jet fuel by $2 per gallon.

The MTA, which serves New York City and seven surrounding counties, including Westchester, Putnam and Rockland, is facing a budget gap of at least $1.2 billion. MTA leaders have said they will have to cut services dramatically and raise fares by 25 percent or more if they don’t get help from the state.

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