Advocates urge Cuomo to sign transit 'lock box' bill

Transit advocates in New York Monday urged Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign a bill that aims to prevent MTA funds from being raided to plug budget holes.

The legislation would require a "diversion impact statement" whenever lawmakers and governors use funding dedicated for transit elsewhere. Cuomo diverted $20 million from transit last year, while $260 million was taken in the 2010-2011 budget, according to the office of a bill sponsor, state Sen. Martin Golden.

"Raiding dedicated transit funds is poor policy, and a breach of trust with the public who rightly believe that transit funds should go to improving transit," said a letter to Cuomo that more than 200 groups signed.