Earlier this month, Tri-State joined State Sen. Marty Golden (R-Brooklyn) and Assm. Jim Brennan (D-Brooklyn), the Transport Workers Union, and transportation advocates in support of bipartisan transit lockbox legislation (A6766/S4257) that would make it harder for New York politicians to raid dedicated transit funds and shine more light on any future raids.

The bill would prevent the executive branch from sweeping money from any dedicated MTA account into the general fund. It would not stop sweeps by state legislators (only a constitutional amendment could do so), but it would require that the legislature release a “diversion impact statement” that includes the amount of the diversion, the total diversion over the preceding five years, and an estimate of how the choices will affect transit service, maintenance, and security.

“Dedicated funds are not rainy day funds to be used by state legislators. Money dedicated for transit should go to transit, and nothing else,” said TSTC Associate Director Veronica Vanterpool in a statement. “The transit system can’t operate or improve without these funds, and the costs get passed onto the public with higher fares and deteriorating service. We need a lockbox to ensure quality and affordable transit.”

Transportation Alternatives’ Rider Rebellion is hosting an online action alert where New Yorkers can write state lawmakers in support of the bill, and advocates were in Albany today to continue making the case for the legislation. The bill is currently in the State Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee and the State Senate’s Finance Committee.