Federal
audit puts state’s Pre-Tax Transit pilot on hold
Just when the state’s Pre-Tax Transit Program looked
good to go, it got a red light from the federal
government that has put the pilot program in a holding
pattern.
The pilot program, which would allow members at several
state agencies in New York City to save money by using
pre-tax income to pay for subway, bus and train fares,
was snagged by an audit of the federal Transportation
Administration Service Center (TASC). The audit ruled the
state could not piggyback its new program on TASC, after
all.
If that prohibition against linking the state program
with TASC holds up, the state will have to issue a
request for proposals (RFP) and select a vendor — a
time-consuming process which will delay the pilot
program’s start.
“This is very frustrating for PEF members who are
eager to have the Pre-Tax Transit Program up and running
so their savings could help to offset the recent fare
increase in the city,” said PEF President Roger
Benson.
What’s worse, Benson said, “the delay in the
pilot program means a delay in any expansion of it to
include the use of pre-tax accounts for qualified parking
expenses.”
Nonetheless, Benson said the union is determined to make
the best of the situation and use the extra time to
resolve some other issues, such as how to protect
members’ Social Security numbers when a vendor
becomes involved in taking enrollment.
“As the RFP is being developed, the Governor’s
Office of Employee Relations and the Office of the State
Comptroller have both said they remain committed to
working through these issues, so the state can move ahead
once a vendor is selected,” Benson said.
If you want to participate, but your state agency was not
among those selected to take part in the pilot program,
Benson suggested you ask your PEF representative on the
agency’s statewide labor-management committee to
“redouble the efforts to raise this issue with
management. Increased activity may not guarantee
inclusion in the eventual pilot, but additional support
can only help the case.” — Sherry Halbrook
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Lawmakers override all 119
budget vetoes
Set state safety, security
standard
Thank your legislators
Departments
President's Message:Our work
continues
You Said It: Member's
letters this month
PS&T Contract Update:
Pay hikes hot topic
Member Highlights;Keeping up
the good fight
Retirees In Action: New
officers take the reins
PEF Membership Benefits
Program & Travel Corp
Nurses' Station:
- Derail unsafe staffing, put
laws on the fast track
- Roswell Park honors nurses
- Nurses conference addresses
timely topics
Legislative Action:
- Union presses lawmakers on
contracting out
- Legislature passes 11 bills
PEF supports
- Don’t let feds
shortchange NY
Health Benefits:
- Feds aim to guard your
privacy
- College students need shot
in arm
- HMO applied wrong rule for
disabled kids
Union Matters
PEF, OASAS train workers for
emergencies
EAP Coordinator earns
Quality Service Award
Making state park system a
summer delight
Pre-Tax Transit pilot put on
hold
Balloting brings 13
newcomers to E-Board
Convention 2003: Delegate
preview
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