WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2004. From the Office of Assemblyman Adam Bradley, 89th District. October 18, 2004: On the heels of the announcement of an increase in Metropolitan Transportation Authority commuter fares, Assemblyman Adam Bradley has released a statement calling for closer scrutiny of the transit megolith by the establishment of an independent budget office for the MTA and a Review Board. The Assemblyman is also calling for an investigation of the flu shot shortage. Here is the text of the Assemblyman's statements:
Once again, Westchester commuters are under assault by the MTA and are being asked to pay more for less. Even the Journal News stated that bulk-ticket buyers and suburban commuters would be forced to bear an even greater burden to the tune of over $420 dollars more a year under this newest fare hike. This hike, coupled with $91 million in service cuts, is unwise and unacceptable, especially when a state Comptroller’s report showed the MTA kept two sets of books to hide their financial practices.
Legislation I sponsored would shine a much needed light on the MTA by creating an oversight board and establishing an independent budget office for the MTA. It would also require more public hearings prior to major service changes and mandate a biennial report on the potential for a future rate increase. What is obvious to every commuter, but ignored by the MTA, is the fact that accountability and openness is currently absent from the way the MTA does business. This must change. I will continue working to make sure the voices of Westchester commuters are heard.
On the matter of Westchester's lack of flu vaccine, and reported price gouging, Bradley is calling on the Attorney General's Office to look into the shortage:
“It’s outrageous for some companies to try to turn a quick buck off of young children and seniors who really need their flu shots,” Bradley said. “We must act quickly to get to the bottom of this through an investigation by the Attorney General. And we must develop a plan to protect our most vulnerable and make sure that companies don’t cash in on the flu-shot shortage.”
“I’ve heard stories about vaccine suppliers hiking prices for hospitals and pharmacies — by as much as 10 times its original value,” Bradley said. “It’s as if they’ve forgotten that for some, this vaccine can be the difference between life and death.”
With news of limited flu vaccine supplies spreading, hospitals and clinics are seeing more people showing up for shots. However, hospitals and physicians continue to remind us that the young, elderly and ill should be given first priority when it comes to being vaccinated.
“First, we must do all we can to get the vaccine to those who need it most and an investigation is a good place to start,” said Bradley. “I’ll continue to fight for legal and legislative means to prevent providers of the flu vaccine from making an already bad situation worse.”
