Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Who's In Charge Of The MTA? Governor Cuomo Cannot Say
By
John Del Signore
Published Jun 23, 2017
Modified Jun 23, 2017
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 .
Governor Cuomo's Office
By
John Del Signore
Published Jun 23, 2017
Modified Jun 23, 2017
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
"Who's in charge?" the Governor asked in recent comments about the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. "Who knows! Maybe the county executive, maybe the president, maybe the governor, maybe the mayor."
Who controls the MTA?
I'm Governor but cannot say
Such a thing's above my pay
A question for another day!
Who's in charge? Who knows! Do you?
I cannot lie and say I do!
Though I must confess this much is true:
My girlfriend makes a great beef stew.
Plurality's an elusive word
What's it mean? You tell me, nerd.
Do you even lift? Or hunt? Absurd!
I bet you like martinis stirred.
But I digress, let's stay on track
If New York wants its subway back
Just let ol' Andrew take a crack
Untie these hands from behind my back!
The kids say I am ripped and swole
And clearly I am on a roll
I move stuck cars! Look: cashless tolls!
I ride a hog with Billy Joel
Your mayor should fix the A/C/E
But since he's not it falls to me
I hear he's down in Miami
Sippin' rosé beneath a palm tree
Lucky for you Papa Cuomo's in town
I'll fix the mess left by that giant clown
Who kills cute deer and lets you down
I'll be subway king! Can I wear a crown?
Editor's note: The MTA is under state control, and the governor appoints a plurality of its members, including its chairman and CEO. The governor's involvement is so well-established that MTA planners refer to him by the nickname "The Engineer on the Second Floor," a reference to his second-floor office at the Capitol.
Tagged
doggerel
governor cuomo
losing it
MTA
subway
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Early Addition: NYC comptroller backs off investing city pension funds in Israel bonds
Because Mark Levine pledged to make the investment during his campaign, here are your early links: A mini T-Rex skeleton on display at Sotheby's, New Yorkers love a fancy bird, excellent chalupas in Corona and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 15, 2026 at 8:34 a.m. ET
NYPD investigating after 5-year-old Queens girl found dead
Police responded to a call from her mother after an assault.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
NYPD investigating after 5-year-old Queens girl found dead
Police responded to a call from her mother after an assault.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Hochul, Blakeman offer opposing visions for jobs to stem New York exodus
By
Jimmy Vielkind
Hannah-Jones, NYC schools chancellor set to speak at high-stakes integration town hall
By
Jessica Gould
Queens man found dead, police say, and injured woman is his mother, neighbors say
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 .