William B. Magnarelli headshot

Assemblyman

William B. Magnarelli

Assembly District 129

Magnarelli Urges Thruway Board to Halt Toll Hikes

December 6, 2007

Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) called for the New York State Thruway Authority to halt plans for toll hikes until State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli completes an audit to determine if another round of toll hikes is needed. The Assembly will also hold hearings later this month on the Thruway’s proposal to raise cash tolls on travelers and raise rates on annual permits used by commuters by 10 percent and cut discounts for the E-ZPass program. The Assembly’s hearing in Syracuse is scheduled for:

Monday
December 17, 2007
11:00 a.m.
Onondaga County Legislative Chambers County Courthouse
401 Montgomery Street, Room 407
“We don’t know if a toll hike is justified yet, so there should be no rush to raise costs for motorists and businesses,” Magnarelli said. “This proposal needs to be put on hold until we have all the facts. We need to know exactly what the Authority has been doing with our tax dollars.” Assemblyman Magnarelli noted the Assembly’s hearings will give legislators an opportunity to look into management at the Thruway Authority. A recent report disclosing that the Thruway Authority spent over $8 million for employee overtime in 2006 has raised serious questions. Thruway Authority board members who will review the toll hike are Pataki-era appointees, and Magnarelli said those board members should resign so that the governor can make new appointments. “It’s absurd that far-reaching decisions like these are still being made by Pataki administration political appointees,” Magnarelli said. “It’s time for the Thruway Authority to have new leadership that will focus on innovative ways to control costs and deliver services, and help make New York more affordable for working families and businesses. “Along with the failure of the Bush Administration to address soaring gasoline prices, New York commuters are paying far too much to get to and from work every day. The multiple toll increases planned by the Thruway Authority add to that heavy burden,” Magnarelli concluded.