PRESS INQUIRIES
Katy Feinberg, Rubenstein
[email protected]
212.843.8047
Today, New York’s leading business associations sent the following letter urging President Trump to secure funding for public transit and local governments that are essential to the economic recovery of the country’s largest metropolitan area. Full letter below.
Honorable Donald Trump President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Trump:
As the leading business organizations in America’s largest metropolitan region, we are writing to respectfully request that the federal government responds to the unprecedented economic fallout caused by Covid-19 by appropriating essential funding to major transit systems, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“MTA”), and state and local governments which are on the brink of having to lay off police officers, fire fighters, emergency service personnel and others from the public workforce that could consequently jeopardize public safety and thus our economy.
New York City, Long Island and Westchester together represent 63 percent of New York State’s population and 75 percent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”). Combined, they represent 4 percent of the nation’s population and 6 percent of GDP. And the MTA service region, which represents 10 percent of the nation’s economic output, is the lifeblood of that economic vitality. This is why it is imperative that you negotiate the agreement that provides dedicated funding for mass transit systems, which are suffering an existential fiscal crisis as a result of Covid-19’s impact on ridership and revenues. Without federal relief, this will further devastate businesses that rely on mass transit and also constrain the national economic recovery.
We are also asking that you prioritize federal funding for state and local governments. As a businessman yourself, you understand that superior public safety leads to more private investments and business expansion, and that a lower crime rate is an asset for economic development. And thus, if state and local governments lay off employees and reduce services, this will negatively impact our economy and the national recovery.
New York’s downstate regional economy drives the entire state and, in many ways, it is the most important economic region in the country. As private sector businesses have lost revenue and tens of thousands of jobs while struggling to keep their doors open, we need you to lead the federal effort in helping our state, and all 50 states, give these businesses an opportunity to once again thrive, retain and create jobs and rebuild our economy. As the business organizations representing our regional economy, we urge you to come to the aid of our business community and lead Congress to a deal that paves the way for this necessary funding.
Sincerely,
Marsha Gordon
President & CEO
The Business Council of Westchester
Kevin Law
President & CEO
Long Island Association
Kathryn Wylde
President & CEO
Partnership for New York City