Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
East River Toll Plan Outcry Prompts MTA Finance Audit
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 3, 2009
Modified Mar 3, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 3, 2009
Modified Mar 3, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
So much for the State Legislature moving forward on a plan to introduce $2 tolls on currently free East River and Harlem River bridges—opposition from State Senators (from even within his own Democratic party as well as other Democratic state and city officials) has forced State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith's hand into delaying any sort of decision by demanding an audit of the MTA's finances. Wait, there was no audit of the MTA's finances before a deal would be made?
The Post explains that Smith "[faced] a rebellion from outer-borough Democrats and rock-solid opposition from Republicans," so he asked for the audit "before he would agree to any plan to plug its projected $1.2 billion budget gap with new tolls and a regional payroll tax." And the Daily News points out Smith referred to the MTA's bad accounting past, saying the agency "does not have a history of being forthright in terms of their budget. You know, they kept two books at a time." Burn!
Still, there's worry about what will happen to the financially embattled MTA. The Straphangers' Campaign's Gene Russianoff was disappointed by Smith's change of mind: "It contradicts where he was last week when he talked about taking decisive action. Maybe the MTA can do more in terms of saving and restructuring finances, but they're in a dire need and riders are looking at a fare hike. I don't think that's debatable."
Tagged
east river
east river tolls
finances
harlem river
MTA
state senate
State Senate Majority Leader Smith
tolls
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
After Trump defunding, thousands losing rental assistance in NYC may finally have relief
The Trump administration issued new guidance outlining a plan to replace expiring rental assistance vouchers with a new program.
By
David Brand
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
Blind man dismissed from grand jury duty can sue NY for discrimination, judge rules
Albert Elia accused officials of "systemic discrimination" against blind people looking to serve on juries.
By
Samantha Max
News
Blind man dismissed from grand jury duty can sue NY for discrimination, judge rules
Albert Elia accused officials of "systemic discrimination" against blind people looking to serve on juries.
By
Samantha Max
Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey
By
Giulia Heyward
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
By
Caroline Lewis
NYPD detective forced to retire after false statements in Brooklyn investigation
By
Charles Lane
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .