From this point forward I will publish any and all responses from our representatives in this page.
This whole effort is now a full fledged lobbying effort as now this toll issue is in the laps of our politicians.
It is time for them to take control and legislate change and work toward eliminating tolls across the state.
Say No to Grand Island Tolls
From: Assemblyman James Tedisco
To: Rus Thompson
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 3:06 PM
Subject: Re: Productive Toll Meeting highlights
Rus Thompson wrote:
This morning I proposed two different things one to keep the toll increase from happening and even cut the tolls in half.
#1 take the Canal system from them and make it a state funded stand alone entity that saves the thruway authority and toll payers $80 Million yearly. Also dedicated funds from the federal government like the $400 Million they should have received last year at the department of transportation be applied to the thruway system. That alone would cut the tolls in half. So in this one suggestion we see $480 million dollars in savings.
Secondly and I have been talking to Senator Maziarz about this, start making the thruway authority smaller, remove their control from the Niagara section of the thruway and the Grand Island Bridges and turn it over to the New York State Department of Transportation.This will remove the tolls at the bridges, eliminate the daily traffic back up and stop the pollution and safety hazards surrounding the toll booths.
Funding will come from the gas tax reimbursement from the federal government and existing taxes from the Highway Use Tax that trucks already pay. The H.U.T. tax is a 5 cent a mile tax paid by trucks to help fund the D.O.T. There is also state taxes specifically for road use that also funds the road system.
Jeff Williams from the thruway authority agrees, he feels that the Grand Island Bridges and the Niagara section should be run by the D.O.T. right now, so let’s make it happen. The Assembly Republicans agreed and will contact Senator Maziarz to put together legislation to do just that.
I will work with all of them to make sure this happens and keep you updated.
Rus Thompson
Have you signed the petition? Sign it now at
http://nogitolls.com/
http://albanysinsanity.wnymedia.net/?cat=26
Dear Mr. Thompson:
Thank you for your e-mail and your suggestions on how to prevent the toll increase. It is a pleasure to hear from you.
My Assembly Republican colleagues and I support an audit of the Thruway Authority and are calling on Governor Spitzer and Legislative leaders to support legislation to remove the Canal Corporation from the Authority’s grip and ultimately develop a long-term plan that could include consolidation of services with the state DOT to eliminate tolls altogether.
Increasing tolls really amounts to ‘geographic discrimination’ to Upstate residents who regularly travel and rely on the Thruway and would end up paying more. In an economy thats been rocked by soaring fuel prices, raising Thruway tolls will cause further fiscal pain for working New Yorkers.
Our Conference launched a series of public hearings on the proposed Thruway toll increase because citizens and small businesses have a right to express their opinion on this issue – and we, as legislators, have a duty and an obligation to listen to their concerns and then take appropriate action to address them.
My fellow Assembly Republican colleagues and I will introduce legislation requiring that any change in Thruway tolls be first approved by the Legislature. It’s simply not appropriate for faceless, unelected bureaucrats to make such an important decision affecting the finances of so many New Yorkers. Any change in Thruway tolls must come before the 212 men and women who were duly elected by their constituents to make such decisions.
Be assured that my Assembly Republican colleagues and I will take your thoughts into careful consideration during deliberations on this issue. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
DISTRICT OFFICE: 12 Jay Street, Schenectady, New York 12305, (518) 370-2812, FAX (518) 370-2862
ALBANY OFFICE: Room 933, Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248, (518) 455-3751, FAX (518) 455-3750
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