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Q&A
Concerns about the steep increase in New York City's paratransit funding contribution
0:35:35
ยท
3 min
Council Member Brooks-Powers expresses concerns about the significant increase in New York City's contribution to paratransit funding, from 33% before 2020 to a proposed 80%. The discussion covers the impact on the city's budget and the negotiation process in Albany.
- The Council Member questions the fairness of the steep jump in contribution percentage
- MTA officials acknowledge the ongoing negotiations in Albany regarding the funding
- There's a debate about the appropriateness of a dollar value cap on the city's contribution
- The MTA argues for an 80% cost share without a cap, while the city questions the equity of this arrangement
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:35:35
more.
0:35:35
And I hear you.
0:35:36
Right?
0:35:37
Because I'm not taking away the the service, the quality of service that's given the need for it.
0:35:43
I just question in terms of what we're being asked as a municipality to contribute considering we went from an agreement of 33% before 2020 to now wanting MTA wanted us to contribute 80% which is a that's a steep jump and especially when the MTA came just about a year or two ago to say that this is something that was going to sunset and now the MTA is saying oh no we want to make it permanent.
0:36:12
And I get that to President Critchlow's point, there's an increase in in the trips and so quite naturally that means that there's gonna be a growing budget.
0:36:25
But to now put that on the city to do 80% now is pretty steep.
John McCarthy
0:36:32
Understood.
0:36:33
And and just you know, in fairness, this is you know active, it is being negotiated in Albany and I think you know this conversation will continue there.
0:36:43
We certainly understand your point, and I think it's important that our budget needs are also reflected because it's like everything else.
0:36:51
The poor service we want, there's a cost associated with
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:36:54
No absolutely.
0:36:55
New York City we contribute over I think over 46% to the state, right?
0:37:01
And so New York City is always contributing in different aspects So when we have something coming before us to jump to 80%, we have to question that and the rationale behind it, particularly when we were told that this would sunset.
John McCarthy
0:37:19
Yep.
0:37:20
Well the good news is we're talking about something that the money being spent there's value getting from, so that at least is part of the conversation that we should have.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:37:29
But I'm still not clear if MTA projects this to be the right cost share, like when we look at future years because when we looked at it and it was temporary, I imagine the MTA was looking out or in terms of future years and what the needs are and how to balance when they made the ask and said well we'll make it sunset.
0:37:49
So now that the state budget is calling for making this permanent, I want to know like what does the MTA project to be the right cost share for the city power transit costs in the future years?
0:38:07
Because we're at 80% right now.
0:38:08
Next year y'all may come and say we got to do the whole thing.
0:38:11
I'm not saying that we want to, you know.
Jai Patel
0:38:13
No, ideally right, we think 80% is the right contribution for the city with growing cost.
0:38:22
Right?
0:38:22
As costs grow, you contribute 80%, that's equitable.
0:38:29
Know, honestly 80%
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:38:30
is not equitable.
Jai Patel
0:38:31
That is what's, you know, what we have in our financial plan.
0:38:37
Ideally, as, you know, a chief financial officer, I do not like the cap.
0:38:42
Right?
0:38:42
Because we would because it's really not 80% then if you have a a dollar value cap on it.
0:38:47
So in in the out years, as the program grows and the dollar values grow, it will be 70%, sixty %, and at some point it will be a less share than 80% if you have a dollar value cap on it.
0:39:03
So my recommendation or my, you know, perspective on a financial side would just be a straight 80% cost share.
0:39:10
We would know that because we do a five year financial plan, so the city would be able to project those costs based on what we are seeing for trip volumes for the program.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:39:22
Do you support a dollar
Jai Patel
0:39:23
cap?
0:39:25
I do not.
0:39:27
Okay.