Skoufis said the discount was secured in this year's state budget with support from Gov. Kathy Hochul and Assembly members Jonathan Jacobson, Chris Eachus, and Paula Kay. 

The new benefit extends a resident discount already available to eligible Westchester and Rockland County drivers. 

According to Skoufis, 92 percent of Orange County residents with E-ZPass have an email address associated with their tag. Those customers will receive both an email and a letter explaining the new discount, while the remaining 8 percent will receive a letter. 

For E-ZPass customers whose accounts are in good standing and have no issues, the discount will be applied automatically, and no action will be required, Skoufis said. 

However, customers with outstanding tolls or with multiple addresses or license plates associated with their accounts will receive instructions explaining what needs to be fixed before the discount can be applied, according to Skoufis. 

The senator said the Thruway Authority's customer service team has been trained to handle questions about the rollout. Skoufis did not provide a specific date in his announcement for when drivers will begin receiving the discounted rate, describing it as forthcoming.