Court extends TRO blocking federal funding cuts to MTA public transit safety

"A federal court extended an order blocking the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from cutting millions in anti-terrorism funding for the MTA on Wednesday. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York extended the order on Oct. 16, which prevents DHS from clawing back more than $33 million in anti-terrorism funding meant for the state-run agency's sprawling transportation system in a city that suffered the country's worst terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001."

"The order follows a NYS attorney general's office lawsuit filed on Sept. 30 after the federal agency cut the state's Transit Security Grant Program allocation from more $33 million to zero. Attorney General Letitia James, who was indicted by the feds last week over alleged bank fraud charges, said the cuts were an unlawful decision that was allegedly intended to punish New York over immigration protection."

"This court has again prevented the federal government from revoking critical counterterrorism funds for our state, the statement read. These funds help keep our trains, buses and subways safe for the millions of New Yorkers who rely on them every day. We will continue fighting to ensure that New York gets the resources we need to support our law enforcement and keep people safe every day."

A federal court extended a temporary restraining order on Oct. 16 preventing the Department of Homeland Security from reclaiming more than $33 million in anti-terrorism funds for the MTA. The order follows a New York State attorney general lawsuit filed Sept. 30 after the federal agency cut the state's Transit Security Grant Program allocation from $33 million to zero. Attorney General Letitia James called the cuts unlawful and alleged they were intended to punish New York over immigration-protection policies. The TRO was extended to Oct. 22. Governor Kathy Hochul said the MTA was the only one of 21 applicants nationwide to receive no grant funding. The Transit Security Grant is designed to protect mass transit systems from security threats.

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