Cuomo nominates experienced exec for MTA chairman
Cuomo nominates experienced MTA exec to be next chairman, succeed NYC mayor candidate Lhota
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo has nominated an experienced New York City transit executive to be the next chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Thomas F. Prendergast would succeed Joseph Lhota, a Republican running for mayor.
The nomination is subject to approval by the state Senate.
Starting in 2009, Prendergast was the MTA's president of New York City Transit, which runs the bus and subway systems. He's been the interim executive director of the MTA since Jan. 1.
Cuomo calls him "a consummate public transit leader."
The Straphangers' Campaign of the watchdog New York Public Interest Research Group supports the nomination. It calls Prendergast "accessible, knowledgable, smart and fair."
Cuomo didn't initially release the chairman's salary. Lhota was previously paid about $300,000 a year. The nomination was announced Friday.
