THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT

6/18

What do the Port Authority, OTB and the MTA have in common?


They all continue to find ways to legally (and I use that term loosely) rip off taxpayers and line their pockets with money that could be put to much better use.


Strike One


It was reported today that the nearly $300,000 a year salary that the executive director of the Port Authority is being paid is not enough for him.


The NY Daily News reports that Christopher Ward is being paid an additional $100,000 a year for serving on the board of a not for profit organization.


One would think that being the executive director of the Port Authority would be a full time job, but it appears that Mr. Ward has time on his hands for this part time gig.


I know that there are rules and regulations about not for profits having paid members who are employees of the city, state or federal government on their boards but again this is the Port Authority and it appears they do not have to play by the same rules.


Strike Two


Many know that the state and the city reached an agreement this week to save OTB.


Details of the agreement were not widely publicized but in the final agreement the state managed to grab an additional 1% from winning tickets.


This now raises their total take to 21%


21% of all winning bets and NYC will see very little of it


Approximately


$3 Million to the now state controlled NYC OTB Corp


$3 Million to other OTB's and tracks in New York (not NYC)


$3 Million to NYRA


Once again money from NYC residents going right to the state.


And they consider this a sweet deal.


A sweet deal for our buddies upstate, taxation without representation, as always is the case in these types of deals.


Strike 3


The MTA stakes again.


The MTA has announced that many of its proposed improvements that were part of the fare increase package it imposed last year would not be implemented.


We were told that the fare increase was to support more frequent bus, subway and commuter train schedules.


We are now told they do not have do not have the money to support these improvements.


It didn't stop the MTA from giving it's Chairman a 3% raise bringing his total salary and benefits package to over $350,000


Now let's see how this works.


Charge the people more.


Don't deliver promised improvements.


Give your Chairman a raise.


Right out of the "Authority Playbook"


Easy to do when you don't answer to anyone.