EXPERIENCE - New York Gov. David Paterson asked him to lead a commission in 2008 to deal with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's shaky financial problems. The Authority had threatened fare hikes and cutbacks in services. With the help of Ravitch's recommendations, the Legislature eventually passed a $2.26 billion bailout bill averting deep service cuts and 23 percent fare increases.
- He is a partner in the law firm Ravitch Rice & Company LLC.
- He first rehabilitated the MTA's finances as chairman from 1979 to 1983.
- Started working for New York state government in 1975 when Gov. Hugh Carey put him in charge of the independent authority helping build low-income apartments that eventually became the Empire State Development Corp.
- Started his work in federal government in 1966 with the National Commission on Urban Problems under President Lyndon B. Johnson.
- In the 1960s and 1970s he was a principle in his family's firm, HRH Construction.
EDUCATION
- Graduated from Columbia College and Yale University Law School.
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