Dilan Optimistic on the M.T.A., Says 'This Rush Thing' Won't Work

ALBANY—On his way out of Albany (it's the start of vacation), State Senator Martin Malave Dilan offered an update of where things stand on negotiations for an M.T.A. rescue. As chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, he has been deeply  involved in the process, which has yet to yield at agreement.

"We were really trying to get something done, but this 'rush' thing really doesn't work," he said. "Basically, what's on the table is a $25 [auto] registration fee for the 12 counties; there's also a possibility of an additional cent or two [on the gas tax] within the 12 county region."

Dilan said nothing is final; both proposals have been floated before.

A payroll tax is still on the table, according to Dilan, somewhere in the neighborhood of 34 cents per $100 of payroll. Previously, some members of his Democratic conference have expressed reservations about that measure, and Dilan said they are "looking at doing an exemption for education." Senate Republicans have said they will not vote for any plan that includes a payroll tax.

Earlier, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver proposed a plan along the lines of what the Ravitch Commission proposed, but with $2 tolls on the East River bridges, instead of $5 tolls. The Assembly agreed on the plan (it never came to a vote)  passed in the Assembly, but it died in the Senate.

The State Senate proposed a plan that did not impose tolls, but did not include funding for M.T.A. capital projects, either.

David Paterson said last week that he will call the legislature into extraordinary session when it returns April 20; lawmakers will not be able to leave before an agreement is reached.

Dilan insisted yesterday's rally of the Transit Workers United local, which represents M.T.A. workers, indicated there is hope for a solution. "Speaker Silver was there, he spoke, I spoke, he said he was committed to working something out, and I think it's just a matter of us getting together on what really works. That's where we're at," Dilan said.