ALBANY - Five Mid-Hudson Valley state senators Thursday proposed a regional taskforce to summarize the current MTA services offered to Hudson Valley area residents in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam and Rockland counties and make specific recommendations for key, specific, desired improvements to MTA service in the Hudson Valley.

The task force, formed by Senators John Bonacic, William Larkin, Vincent Leibell, Thomas Morahan and Stephen Saland, will focus on how the MTA can contribute to the economic vitality of the region and what key, specific improvements should be made by the MTA to serve the Hudson Valley.

The task force is inviting area business leaders, local officials, MTA Board members, and other state officials to join with them. The Hudson Valley’s representatives all objected to the new MTA payroll tax.

"We all voted against these taxes and fees.  The question is what are we going to do about it?" said Bonacic. “There has to be more than just voting no.”

Task force participants will be requested to lay out key, prioritized areas where improvements can be made.  

The task force will be composed of leaders of both for profit and not for profit businesses, elected local government officials, commuters, and business development officials.

“The MTA tax is unfair, unreasonable and unequally distributed” said Larkin.  “This task force will give the Hudson Valley the voice to be heard in New York City and bring our transit needs into the open for discussion and future action.  If they expect businesses to pay for services that the vast majority don’t use, they had better make room at the table to hear our concerns.”