Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed a deal Sunday on an
almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package, finally delivering
long-overdue help to businesses and individuals and providing money to deliver
vaccines to a nation eager for them.
The stimulus package also includes $4 billion in funding for
the MTA.
In a statement to News 12, the agency's chairman and CEO
Patrick Foye said in part, "This crucial funding will allow us to get
through 2021 without devastating service cuts and layoffs of over 9,000
colleagues."
Foye had warned a lack of new relief money would lead to
painful cuts on the Long Island Rail Road, subways, and bus service.
He adds that the agency still faces a gaping deficit in the
years to come, but that this federal aid is a good first step.