amNY reported yesterday that the MTA’s threat to layoff over 450 station agents could be a power play to get the transit union to agree to a pay freeze. The MTA announced early yesterday that it was planning on laying off over 1,000 workers as it struggles to bridge a $400 million budget gap.

Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch told the Gotham Gazette yesterday that he does not support Gov. Paterson’s proposed payroll tax increase. The payroll tax on businesses in 12 counties in and around New York City was enacted last year, but has so far failed to raise the funds needed to meet the MTA’s budget needs.

WNYC has a podcast that follows federal stimulus money around the country to see how it impacts transit.