Issues: Thruway Authority

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled the proposed 2013-14Executive Budget and Management Plan that builds on two years of balanced, fiscally responsible budgeting and invests in economic development, education reform, rebuilding after Superstorm Sandy, provides support to local governments and school districts, and includes no new taxes or fees.

Highlights of the Executive Budget:

· Eliminates $1.3 billion budget gap with no new taxes or fees. The expected gap for 2013-14 was projected to be $17.4 billion prior to the last two responsible budgets.

· Holds spending increases below 2 percent for third consecutive year.

When the Thruway Authority proposed a plan for a 45 percent toll increase on trucks and other commercial vehicles earlier this year, I immediately expressed my opinion that it was unacceptable and advocated against the increase. 

I am very pleased with the decision today that this ill-conceived toll hike plan has now been reversed.

The Thruway Authority's proposed toll increase would have had a terrible impact on countless businesses across New York state, hurting job creation and adding new costs for consumers.

     “I am very pleased that the New York State Thruway Authority is abandoning its proposed 45 percent commercial toll increase and will instead be considering a cost savings plan that includes no toll hike.

Digital signs over the NYS Thruway will urge motorists to stay alert behind the wheel with no texting while driving reminder.

Larson’s mother Kelly Cline relentlessly advocated for changes to state law to ban texting while driving. 

Kennedy and Cline Remind Drivers: Keep Your Eyes on the Road and Off Your Phone.

Renews Call To Separate Canal System From Thruway Authority

As New York State Thruway Authority officials postponed a scheduled meeting for the second time in five days that may have included a vote to approve a 45 percent increase on three-axel vehicles, Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R,C,I – Elma), chairman of the Senate’s Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business Committee, urged the Thruway Authority Board to explore other options to avoid a toll increase and consider his proposal to separate the State’s Canal System from the Thruway Authority.

Reform Would Save Thruway Authority Millions Annually, Help Prevent Toll Hike

Chairman of the Senate’s Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business Committee, Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R - Elma), joined with Senator Mark Grisanti (R - Buffalo) and Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak (D - Cheektowaga) this afternoon at Canalside, the historical terminus of the Erie Canal, on Buffalo’s waterfront to announce formal legislation to sever the New York State canal system from the New York State Thruway Authority.

The announcement comes as the Thruway Authority is considering a plan to raise tolls on three-axle vehicles by 45 percent.

With regional equity concerns still unaddressed, Kennedy urges the Thruway Authority to reverse course on toll hike

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senator Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo, voiced his opposition to the toll hike proposed by NYS Thruway Authority at their public hearing Thursday at the Downtown Central Library. In outlining his opposition, Kennedy detailed ongoing regional inequities and funding disparities that Western New York has suffered in recent years.

     Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), Chairman of the Senate’s Transportation Committee, today wrote to the Board of Directors of the New York State Thruway Authority strongly urging them to reject their proposal to increase tolls by 45 percent because it is “a step in the wrong direction for economic recovery in our state.”

ALBANY, 06/05/12 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today spoke out against the state Thruway Authority’s plan to hike tolls by as much as 45 percent on commercial truckers.

“The number of businesses that utilize the Thruway to ship their goods is vast and hiking the tolls will be costly – not only to those truckers but also to consumers,” said Senator Seward.  “For example, if the price to deliver milk to manufacturing plants skyrockets, who do you think will foot the bill?  The increase will be felt across the board by those who can least afford to pay more.