Albany can stand up to Trump by defending and funding the MTA
David R. Jones, The Urban Agenda
After attempting to kill congestion pricing by rescinding federal approval for the program, President Donald Trump has once again taken aim at the MTA this week.
Last week, the Trump Administration threatened to withhold federal funding from the agency over demands to see their data on crime and safety. While it is important that New Yorkers and visitors feel safe on one of the nation’s most vital and expansive transit networks, this appears to be another reckless attempt by the Administration to force New York to “bend the knee” to Washington.
Luckily, New York has an opportunity to stand up to this saber-rattling. As the Governor and legislative leaders finalize the state’s yearly budget by April 1, they can defend the transportation lifeline we depend on by fully funding the agency’s $68 billion 2025-2029 Capital Plan. The Trump administration is unlikely to step back from its antagonistic stance anytime soon, and we must ensure that such an essential public service can continue connecting New Yorkers to opportunities across the state.
It would be an understatement to say that the MTA is integral to the success of the state and its people. The agency carries over 5.5 million riders every weekday, and more than 80 percent of the state’s personal income tax and 65 percent of sales tax revenue are generated in the MTA’s service areas. Simply put, our transit system is the foundation on which our state’s economy rests.
The beauty of relying so deeply on public transit is that it empowers everyone, of any income, to get where they need to go at a low cost. Because of the MTA, New York City households have, on average, some of the lowest transportation costs in the country. In a city where nearly every other expense is markedly higher than the national average, a strong public transit system is one of the few factors making it possible for working class individuals and families to live here. One can argue that our public transit system is one of the key drivers of equity in our state.
Leaders in Albany must protect one of our city’s last bastions of affordability, and that means taking its funding into our own hands. By investing fully in the Capital Plan, the Governor and legislature will ensure the Trump Administration’s posturing doesn’t tangibly impact New Yorkers of all incomes who need it to get to work, school, medical appointments, and everything in between.
Importantly, funding the Capital Plan fully does not just maintain the transit status quo. This Capital Plan will provide greater access to opportunity, especially through projects like the Interborough Express (IBX), which will connect neighborhoods – particularly Black and Latino communities – across Brooklyn and Queens that have been historically underserved with transit options. Projects like the IBX will expand the number of jobs accessible by transit to a million people living in these neighborhoods, shorten workers’ commutes, and encourage greater economic development opportunities in those areas.
Even beyond those projects, economic opportunities are stitched into the fabric of this Capital Plan. The plan will generate an estimated $106 billion in economic output and 72,000 jobs statewide over five years. Businesses and workers alike in New York already benefit significantly from the MTA’s operations – since 2010, the agency has contracted with more than 800 firms and thousands of subcontractors across the state, for a total value of $54 billion. And the MTA has been thoughtful about contracting as a consistent leader in working with Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses (MWBE) and Disadvantaged Businesses Enterprises (DBE). The agency routinely surpasses the New York State MWBE contracting goal of 30 percent participation every year and ranks number one of all State agencies and public authorities in dollars paid to MWBE firms.
If fully funded, the Capital Plan will build upon this momentum to support historically underutilized businesses, awarding an historic $6.5 billion to $7.5 billion in contracts to State Certified MWBEs, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOB), and/or Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE). With that in mind, the Trump Administration’s efforts to hinder the MTA would be a major step back to achieve a diverse and inclusive economy that prioritizes equity for Black, brown, and other historically overlooked small business owners.
Whether New Yorkers are getting around or getting ahead, we depend on our public transit system. Federal officials know that, which is why they are attempting to hamstring the MTA as a way to put a thumb in the Empire State’s eye. But state leaders must step up in this moment to protect all of our communities and our economic futures. By fully funding the MTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan and unleashing the opportunities it contains, New York will not only safeguard and strengthen a vital public resource, but it will stand tall against the Trump Administration’s efforts to strongarm our state into submission.