'Spend It Wisely,' Trump Tells Cash-Starved MTA Of $500M Stimulus

NEW YORK CITY — New York City's cash-starved subway system will soon get its first $500 million out of $3.9 billion allotted through federal stimulus funding, President Donald Trump announced Thursday.

Trump — whose own financial dealings landed his attorneys before the Supreme Court this week, involved payoffs to porn stars and bankrupted casinos — issued this advice to the MTA: "Spend it wisely."

The expedited payment came at the behest of Gov. Andrew Cuomo who said Thursday he asked the president to "cut red tape" and send the cash as soon as possible.

The $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, signed by Trump on March 27, includes cash relief for public health systems, individuals and a lending program for small businesses.

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The MTA — facing an $8.5 billion budget deficit as the new coronavirus response decreased ridership to record lows — received $3.9 billion and has repeatedly asked Congress for $3.9 billion more.

"The federal government must recognize the ongoing emergency and the vital role of transit and infrastructures as economic drivers, but also as agencies that transport first responders and essential workers during the pandemic," said MTA chairman and CEO Pat Foye.

"I want to be clear, this is a national disaster that requires a continued national response."

The state's transit authority could lose up to $4.9 billion from fare revenue and up to $1.8 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2020, according to recent financial analysis released by the MTA.

These calls for more funds echo those of leaders from New York City — which faces a $7.3 billion deficit after receiving $1.4 billion from the CARES Act — and New York State.

Both Mayor Bill de Blasio and Cuomo have criticized the funding allotted to New York and warned it could mean severe budget cuts and furloughs and layoffs for city workers.

Cuomo estimates New York needs $61 billion from the next federal stimulus package or state schools, local governments and hospitals will see up to 20 percent budget cuts.

"That's police, firefighters, you want me to cut hospitals?" Cuomo said. "Hospitals are the nurses and the doctors who just got us through this and everyone celebrates as heroes."

"If you don't fund the state that's who you're cutting in terms of finances."

The MTA faces numerous challenges amid the COVID-19 crisis, among them how to protect riders when the economy reopens, how to disinfect the subway system to protect commuting essential workers, and how best to care for the homeless people who slept in cars before late night service was cut.

MTA CEO and Chairman Foye, quizzed during a radio interview Wednesday morning on the future of the MTA amid the new coronavirus, admitted the future of the subways remains unclear.

"We're looking at everything," Foye replied. "Everything is on the table."

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