Mangano Welcomes NYSAC To The MTA Payroll Tax Revolt

Over a dozen municipalities suing to end the job-killing payroll tax

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced that the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) has joined Nassau County in its legal fight against the MTA’s “unconstitutional” and job-killing payroll tax.

“I welcome all those who wish to join Nassau’s lawsuit to end the MTA’s job-killing payroll tax,” said County Executive Mangano. “This tax has done nothing but hurt employers at a time when they could be putting people back to work.”

The Nassau County lawsuit which was filed last year against the Governor, State Legislature and the MTA, seeks to overturn the payroll tax which passed in 2009. Since the lawsuit was filed, more than one dozen municipalities – including Suffolk County and several villages – have joined the County’s action.

NYSAC filed papers this week in support of keeping Nassau County as the venue for the litigation, after the defendants in the case made a motion to change the venue to Albany where they hoped to have better results.

A decision on the motion to change venue is expected on Feb 11.

“It only makes sense that a Nassau judge would be hearing a case that impacts the taxpayers of Nassau County,” said County Executive Ed Mangano. “After all, changing the venue to Albany would cost taxpayers even more.”

NYSAC officials said they will also be submitting a brief on the merits in this case to the courts in the next few weeks.

“In a time of economic hardship nationwide, this (payroll tax) burden puts local governments in an even more strenuous financial condition,” NYSAC officials said in court papers.