Calling it nothing more than a reinstatement of the abolished tax, Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. recently blasted a proposal by the Speaker of the Assembly to re-create a commuter tax.

In May of 1999, Fuschillo stood side-by-side with Governor George E. Pataki at a Long Island Rail Road station when he signed legislation into law eliminating the commuter tax. As a result, commuters from both Nassau and Suffolk Counties are now saving a combined total of more than $100 million a year.

"At a time when individuals are concerned about a straining economy, imposing a new tax would put an unnecessary burden on Long Island residents," Fuschillo said. "Before leaving office, Mayor Giuliani urged people to come to New York City to shop, dine and enjoy entertainment. Instituting new taxes will not stimulate the economy."

Before it was removed from state law, the commuter tax was a 30-year-old so-called "temporary" tax on New York State residents who worked in New York City, but lived outside the five boroughs.

"In the aftermath of Sept. 11, we must support new initiatives to jump-start our economy - not add any undue financial burdens," Fuschillo said. "A commuter tax will do more damage than good."