A public hearing was held in Suffern Thursday night to discuss the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's plan to cutback service to the Hudson Valley in response to a growing budget deficit.

Metro-North President Howard Permut says that the MTA "has to have a balanced budget. At this point ? we have an $800 million deficit."

Rockland County Executive Scott Vanderhoef, who organized the hearing, calls the proposed cuts outrageous and says he suggests "we all go to Albany and suggest putting tolls on East River bridges. We would make $600 million to make up the deficit the MTA is facing."

The MTA is still trying to decide which services to cut in the tri-state region, a decision that will be decided when the MTA votes at the end of the month.