MTA Deficit Continues To Grow
With the deadline for Albany to come up with a financial package for the MTA edging closer, the news about the agency’s finances worsen. The latest re-forecast projects a $621M dollar deficit for 2009 even after the implementation of fare hikes & service cuts. Here are the complete details just released by the MTA in the last 20-25 minutes:
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today re-forecast its annual revenues, projecting a $621 million deficit for 2009 even after approved fare/toll increases and service cuts are implemented. The growing deficit is due to the continuing decline in the real estate and dedicated taxes that support the MTA, all of which are economically sensitive. In addition, increasing unemployment and higher fares led the MTA to predict a 7.2% drop in usage of its facilities in 2009.
The re-forecast identified the following specific changes from the revenues assumed in the budget passed by the MTA Board in December 2008:
• Real estate taxes: Down $336 million
• Fare/toll revenue: Down $221 million
• State dedicated taxes: Down $113 millionThe budget had assumed a $49 million surplus, which when subtracted from these deficits yields a $621 million gap for the current year. The picture is even bleaker for 2010, with a $1.022 billion deficit now projected, up from $290 million at the start of the year.
“The budget that was passed in December assumed large decreases in revenue, but we now know that the reality is even worse,” said Elliot G. Sander, MTA Executive Director and CEO. “With this re-forecast in hand we have begun identifying ways to fill the new gap, but there are no easy solutions.”
“Today’s re-forecast is further proof that the MTA desperately needs stable revenue sources that don’t plummet during economic downturns,” said H. Dale Hemmerdinger. “This is terrible news for the MTA, our customers and the regional economy, and the MTA Board will do everything in our power to protect the transit network. Without assistance from Albany, however, it will be extremely painful for everyone who relies on MTA services.”
This news does not come as a surprise to those of us who have been tracking the MTA. This is yet another indicator in a long line of such that showcase why it is vital for Albany to produce sustainable funding solutions. The time has come & gone for the MTA to depend on volatile sources of funding such as real estate taxes. Albany needs to hit this one out of the park or we are all in trouble.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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