#NY Republicans petition Mitch McConnell for MTA bailout money

New York’s most prominent elected Republicans are urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to deliver the MTA billions of dollars in federal coronavirus rescue money.

In a letter to McConnell Thursday, 18 Empire State Republicans — including Rep. Elise Stefanik and City Councilman Joe Borelli, President Trump’s New York campaign co-chairs — echoed the MTA’s call for a second $3.9 billion bailout, calling the previous bailout “not enough to meet the need.”

“The MTA’s financial future is at risk without federal relief. COVID-19 has blown a massive hole in its budget,” the officials wrote.

“The agency has run out of avenues for support. Without assistance from Washington, the only option left for repayment of the MTA’s debt is fare and toll hikes.”

Reps. Peter King and Lee Zeldin also signed on to the letter, along with both of the GOP’s leaders in Albany and the three Republicans serving as county executives in the MTA service area.

The cash-strapped agency faces $10.4 billion in lost revenue through the end of 2021 due to the coronavirus, which caused a 90 percent dip in ridership in March and April.

Officials expect end-of-year ridership to be as low as half pre-pandemic levels.