Res. No. 750 Title Resolution supporting the enactment of New York State Senate bill, S.1008, that would establish a Metropolitan Transportation Authority operating oversight committee which would be responsible for reviewing all financial records and operating budget proposals of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Body By Council Members Liu, Barron, Clarke, Comrie, Davis, Felder, Fidler, Gennaro, Jackson, Jennings, Lopez, Martinez, Monserrate, Nelson, Quinn, Rivera, Sanders, Seabrook, Sears, Serrano, Stewart, Vann, Weprin, Brewer, Addabbo, Reyna and Gentile Whereas, The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), like many other public agencies in New York State, faces a large budget deficit in 2003; and Whereas, As a public agency, the MTA has a responsibility to spend taxpayer money efficiently and effectively and to be accountable to the public that it serves; and Whereas, In recent months, there has been a chorus of New Yorkers calling for the MTA to provide more timely, accessible, and comprehensive budget information; and Whereas, Members of the New York State Senate have introduced S.1008, legislation that would force the MTA to provide more timely budget information and establish a MTA operating oversight committee which would audit the agency's finances; and Whereas, Such a committee would be composed of six members appointed by New York State and City elected officials; and Whereas, The MTA denies that its budget numbers are not clear and does not see the need for such oversight; and Whereas, On March 6, 2003, the MTA Board approved sweeping fare and toll increases with little oversight on the state level; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Council of the City of New York supports the enactment of New York State Senate bill, S.1008, which would establish a Metropolitan Transportation Authority operating oversight committee which would be responsible for reviewing all financial records and operating budget proposals of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. LS#2045 APB