The payroll tax would apply to commuters and is anathema to suburban Republican legislators.

That leaves suburban legislators with little motive to raise regional taxes - an alternative to raising the fare or cutting service in the city.

Upstate and suburban legislators are defined by whether they deliver the aid.

In addition, bills that would deeply undercut the housing council's work have been proposed by suburban legislators.

His response to complaints from suburban legislators was "Like everything else in those districts, that is rich!"

It is making suburban legislators and taxpayers very nervous.

But she vowed, "The suburban legislators have clout, and we won't let it happen."

The bill attracted the votes of many suburban legislators even though their districts will get nothing under the bill.

But even there, the interests of suburban and upstate legislators have long prevailed over those of lawmakers from the city.

"We already have many of the suburban legislators enraged at how much money is going to the schools," he said.