Assemblyman John McGowan (R,C-Rockland) is proud to announce he has introduced a bill that would change the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge back to its rightful name, the Tappan Zee Bridge.

“The Dutch settlers who came to the Hudson Valley in the 17th Century named this crossing ‘Tappan Zee,’ after a local Native American tribe and the Dutch word for sea. Changing the name to reflect our region’s rich history is the appropriate path forward and changing the name back to the Tappan Zee Bridge will do just that,” McGowan said.

This bill was previously introduced by former Assemblyman, Mike Lawler and former Sen. Mike Martucci but it failed to reach the governor’s desk for approval. This bill now has bi-partisan support, as Sen. James Skoufis has introduced the bill in the Senate chamber.

 “The reality is being a Minority lawmaker and trying to pass legislation is much more difficult than for my colleagues in the Majority. I’ll work with anybody, Minority or Majority. Good ideas are good ideas. I’ve heard from my constituents in the 97^th District. The idea of renaming the bridge after a politician – I don’t think it’s something people support and there was no public input in this. There was no public forum for people to share their thoughts before it was done – and it just kind of happened,” McGowan continued.

“I look forward to moving this bill forward with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. It just makes sense and I hope to have this passed and signed by Governor Hochul by the conclusion of the legislative session in June,” McGowan concluded.