The 2006 legislative session certainly has been an exciting one filled with many positive developments for all New York residents. My Assembly minority colleagues and I have fought for tougher laws regarding sex offenders, pushed to civilly confine the most dangerous sexual predators, cracked down on violence against police officers and even passed a cap on the state gas sales tax. We’re also making it a priority for the state to offer ethanol-based fuels to the motoring public.
I’m proud to continue the fight for reduced fuel prices by pushing for newer, cleaner and cheaper ways to run our vehicles. I was excited when Gov. George Pataki unveiled a plan to build an ethanol refinery in Orleans County, and supported our conference’s plan for having E85 ethanol fuel pumps available at every service station along the state Thruway. I have suggested to the governor that our region would make an excellent location for an ethanol plant as well.
Related to this, the Thruway Authority last month announced a major change to its E-ZPass program by offering owners of hybrid vehicles an additional 10 percent discount on highway tolls. The plan, known as “Green Pass” covers three vehicle models – Honda Insight, Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid. More vehicle types will be eligible as they meet program criteria. To apply for a Green Pass, visit www.nysthruway.gov/ezpass.
Motorist savings won’t stop there. I joined Gov. Pataki this month in his call to separate the state Canal Authority from the Thruway Authority, effectively saving millions of dollars and providing motorists with reduced tolls. The Canal Authority would become a stand-alone agency overseeing its operations, thus freeing up funding and reducing the tolls paid by Thruway users. The lower tolls are desperately needed by commuters in Buffalo, Syracuse and Albany, as well as commercial trucking companies.
This year has been ripe with victories for all New Yorkers. I pledge to continue the fight to deliver more relief to New York taxpayers. Now is the time to build on these successes.