Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman David Gantt and co-sponsored by Assemblyman David Koon (D/I-Perinton), immediately ousting the current Thruway Authority Board of Directors, passed the Assembly. The bill would end the terms of the current members and provide for a transition method for future members serving when a new governor is inaugurated (A.10286).

“The current Thruway Authority board has shown a history of financial mismanagement and they have been bleeding motorists dry by taking the easy way out and hiking tolls to pay for their incompetence,” Koon said. “Hardworking New Yorkers should not be forced to pick up the tab when it is clear that the Thruway Authority is overlooking obvious cost-cutting alternatives.”

Earlier this year, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released an audit of the Authority indicating that toll increases were avoidable. The audit suggested alternative plans to balance the Authority’s books –including putting off non-essential capital projects while prioritizing others, and hiring a collection agency to go after unpaid EZ-Pass tolls – estimated at around $27 million. The Thruway Authority also underestimated its federal funding by over $100 million.

Assemblyman Koon has been a champion in the fight against overwhelming toll hikes. Already this year, the Assembly passed a bill authored by Assemblyman Koon which eliminates tolls for short distance commuters in the Rochester area (A.7094). If the bill is adopted by the Senate and Governor, permits would be issued to motorists commuting in the Rochester, Canandaigua, Victor and Farmington areas, encouraging commuters to utilize the Thruway corridor.

“The sitting Thruway Authority board had their chance to run an efficient operation and they have clearly failed. Their rampant toll increases hurt New Yorkers’ wallets in a time when gas prices are soaring,” Koon said. “The Authority’s flippant toll hikes forced motorists onto local roads, increasing accident rates, traffic congestion and pollution emissions from cars.

“New Yorkers deserve a competent Thruway Authority board with the motorists’ best interests in mind,” Koon added. “With this new legislation, we can put the ineptitude of the prior board behind us and start fresh.”   ::May 27, 2008::