The Manhattan Borough President wants to revive the long dead commuter tax to help the MTA

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/04/17/stringer-proposes-reviving-nyc-commuter-tax/

Under Stringer’s proposal, it would be levied at the 1999 rate of 0.45 percent for most commuters. The proposal would shift the mortgage tax that now covers the MTA’s operating expenses to the agency’s capital plan.

Stringer, who many believe to be a likely candidate for mayor, said that his office estimates the restored tax could generate up to $725 million a year for mass transit.