Attorney General James and Governor Hochul Triumph in $33M MTA Funding Case

New York’s U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has delivered a decisive blow against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by ordering the release of $33,898,500 in critical anti-terrorism funds owed to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul hailed the decision as a victory for public safety.

The ruling came after a lawsuit filed by Attorney General James on September 30, which challenged the DHS’s move to cut New York’s Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) allocation from over $33 million to zero. The Department’s action was seen as retaliation for New York’s ‘sanctuary’ policies aimed at protecting immigrant communities.

‘This ruling protecting critical counterterrorism funding is a victory for every New Yorker who rides our subways, buses, and commuter rails,’ said Attorney General James in a statement. ‘A court has once again affirmed that this administration cannot punish New York by arbitrarily wiping out critical security resources and defunding law enforcement that keeps riders safe. We will always fight to ensure that New York gets the resources we need to support our law enforcement and keep people safe.’

The final decision by the court restores the funds for New York, ensuring that the MTA can continue to provide essential security measures to protect the city’s transit network.

Governor Hochul echoed James’ sentiments, emphasizing the importance of this funding in maintaining a secure and reliable transportation system. ‘This victory underscores our commitment to keeping New Yorkers safe and supporting local law enforcement,’ she said.

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