NEW YORK, NY — Joseph Hernandez, Republican candidate for New York State Comptroller, responded today to a Newsday report revealing record overtime spending of nearly $1.5 billion by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
“Time after time, the MTA has demonstrated its inability to manage a budget,” Hernandez said. “While New Yorkers were just hit with another fare increase, as well as increases in the MTA Payroll Tax and the congestion pricing tax, the MTA keeps burning through taxpayer dollars with its massive bureaucracy, army of consultants, bloated contracts, and construction cost overruns.”
According to the report, MTA overtime spending reached a record high in 2025, exceeding the budget by 33%.
Hernandez emphasized that the MTA’s never-ending fare and toll increases, along with its dedicated taxes, like the payroll tax, are subsidizing the MTA’s dysfunction and contributing to the affordability crisis. “New York City riders and suburban commuters are paying more every year, yet the MTA still can’t control its costs or balance its budget,” Hernandez said.
As State Comptroller, Hernandez promises to focus on reigning in the MTA using his pre-audit authority and by reviewing contracts before taxpayer dollars are spent. “My office will block inefficient contracts before they’re signed, audit overtime abuse in real time using more effective biometric technologies, and review vendor agreements line by line,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez further criticized the MTA for failing to properly manage its billions of dollars of dedicated tax revenues. “The MTA already receives billions in dedicated taxes; the agency must prove it can responsibly manage its existing budget before asking New Yorkers for another dollar,” commented Hernandez.
“Our current Comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli, is supposed to be the taxpayers’ watchdog,” Hernandez said. “Instead, the MTA’s bloated contracts, cost overruns, and annual deficits continue to occur on his watch.”
Hernandez will make the MTA a priority when elected State Comptroller. “I will audit the MTA aggressively so that New Yorkers have a transit system that actually works without waste and continuous fraud.”