Nassau County loses voice on MTA board: What it means for commuters
Nassau County is without a voting representative on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board following the departure of longtime board member David Mack.
Nassau County is without a voting representative on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board following the departure of longtime board member David Mack, raising concerns among transit advocates about the county's influence over key decisions affecting Long Island commuters.
Mack, who represented Nassau County on the MTA Board, was nominated for another term by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. His nomination was advanced by Gov. Kathy Hochul but never cleared a state Senate committee, ending his tenure on the board.
The reason for the Senate committee’s inaction remains unclear. However, Mack was known for his outspoken positions and willingness to challenge MTA leadership. Most notably, he was the only board member to vote against congestion pricing.
Gerard Bringmann, chairman of the Long Island Rail Road Commuter Council, said Nassau County's absence on the board leaves a significant portion of Long Island riders without direct representation.
"Nassau is 60% of the Long Island Rail Road ridership, and for 60% of our ridership to go without a voting representative is just wrong," Bringmann said.
The vacancy comes at a critical time for commuters. The MTA Board is expected to consider another fare increase that could take effect in March.
State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick suggested Mack's opposition to congestion pricing may have played a role in the Senate's decision not to advance his nomination.
"My sense is that could be part of it, but I also think my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, Democrats in the Senate, thought they knew better than both the governor and the county executive and they removed him," Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said.
Nassau County could remain without a representative until the State Senate reconvenes in January, delaying any potential confirmation process for a new appointee.
For now, Long Island's county-appointed representation on the MTA Board consists solely of Suffolk County representative Marc Herbst. Sammy Chu, one of the governor's appointees, is also a Long Island resident. Bringmann holds a non-voting seat on the board through his role with the commuter council.
Herbst downplayed concerns about the vacancy, saying Long Island still has adequate representation.
"I think it's going to be fine, and I look forward to a Nassau representative being appointed and approved by the State Senate," Herbst said.
Who will ultimately fill the seat remains uncertain.
News 12 reached out to both Mack and Blakeman for comment. Both declined to comment.
