Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) grilled MTA officials at yesterday’s Joint Legislative Transportation Budget Hearing in Albany for details about how the governor’s proposed congestion pricing plan would benefit Long Island commuters.

“As legislators who are going to vote on a large infusion of capital, we really need details, and we need transparency. The MTA needs state help, and the state is ready to step up to the plate. What we need to do is protect hardworking taxpayers by vetting their plan as diligently as possible and ensuring accountability from the MTA. We’re not going to allow them to take state funding just to let down our commuters again,” said Ra.

Ra also reiterated to MTA officials the importance of adding full-time LIRR service to Belmont as part of the proposed redevelopment.

“We need to make sure that enhancing public transit is at the forefront of our economic development plans,” said Ra. “An LIRR station at Belmont is good for commuters, it’s good for traffic mitigation and it’s good for tourism.”