Governor Cuomo Must Quickly Appoint NYC’s MTA Board Recommendation

New York City Needs Full Complement of MTA Board Members

NYC and Dutchess County Residents Deserve to Be Heard

We appreciate Mayor de Blasio’s recommendation of Victor Calise to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board, the current Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. We hope Governor Cuomo quickly forwards his nomination to the State Senate for confirmation and the Senate confirms him.

New York City has been without a full complement of four voting MTA Board members since Carl Weisbrod resigned in April 2019. Veronica Vanterpool, an effective advocate for the City on the Board, resigned in December 2019. Mr. Calise’s appointment would bring the City’s representation to three seats, with one more seat left to fill — which we urge the Mayor to do ASAP.

Past MTA Board members from the City like Vanterpool have been effective at raising important issues and questioning decision-making by the MTA, such as the Enhanced Station Initiative and the decision to hire 500 more police officers.

Beyond the City’s vacancies that need to be filled, Dutchess County is also without a voting seat on the MTA Board (it shares a vote with three other suburban counties). Jamie Vitiello, an appointee of Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, resigned in October 2018, and the seat remains vacant. A non-voting seat also remains vacant for the Long Island Railroad Commuter Council.

The MTA Board next meets the week of February 24th, with committee meetings on Monday February 24th and a full Board meeting on Wednesday February 26th.