The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is pushing state legislators to support a payroll tax, but many on Long Island say they shouldn?t be footing the bill for the agency?s economic recovery.

The payroll tax is recommended by the Ravitch Commission, which was charged with coming up with solutions to get the MTA?s finances back on track. It would force all employers to pay 33 cents for every $100 their employees make in wages. It would apply to all employers, from school districts to non-profits and small businesses.

?This is essentially robbing Peter to pay Paul,? Ronald Friedman, head of the Nassau Superintendents Association, says.

Friedman says if schools were forced to pay the tax, it will result in service cuts or property tax hikes, which no one wants.

Similarly, Randi Dresner, of Island Harvest, says her organization is strapped and can?t afford to pay any more taxes.

?Any drain on our resources is pulling away from helping to end hunger or helping to feed the people on Long Island.?

MTA board members are heading to Albany Tuesday to ask state legislators to support the payroll tax.