“I am pleased that after over one year of delay that Washington has finally acted to restore the pre-tax mass transit benefit for commuters.

     Restoring this benefit will provide valuable savings to overtaxed, overburdened commuters. In this economy, and following yet another MTA fare increase, that is critically important.

    While Congress’ action is good news, this extension is once again only temporary, lasting until the end of this year.  That means commuters could again see these savings held hostage by gridlock in Washington.

     Both Congress and New York State should make this benefit permanently equal to the existing pre-tax parking benefit for commuters who carpool and indexed to inflation so that these savings are not jeopardized by Congressional inaction again in the future.”

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 Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) is Chairman of the New York State Senate’s Transportation Committee.