? A state commission tasked with finding ways to tighten the Metropolitan Transportation Authority?s budget may suggest a lower fare hike for commuters.

The Ravitch Commission, created by Gov. David Paterson and headed by former MTA chief Richard Ravitch, is expected to release its recommendations Friday. The recommendations will call for an 8 percent fare hike instead of the 23 percent increase called for by the MTA.

In addition, the commission wants to make changes to bus service on Long Island. Changes put forth by the panel also call for Long Island Bus and Suffolk County Transit to be lumped into one regional bus authority instead of being run separately by the state and county.

The commission has also recommended tolls at East River crossings, like the Brooklyn Bridge, and a tax for downstate companies in the tri-state area. Money from that tax would go to the MTA.

Possible East River bridge tolls have Long Island lawmakers fighting back.

?We live on an island and there [are] only a few ways on and a few ways off and it looks like the MTA is trying to take advantage of that,? state Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R-East Northport) says.

The MTA Board will meet Dec. 17 to vote on its budget for next year. However, action on the Ravitch Commission recommendations may be slower.

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