Stachowski wants to say Good Bye to Thruway Authority!

WOW! A Senator after my own Heart! I guess we are getting under their skin, eh? If they(meaning the senate) have been talking about removing certain sections from the Authority’s control, I guess they have been talking about my proposal. YeHaw!

“we’ve been talking about abolishing tolls, removing certain sections from the Authority’s control,”

STACHOWSKI WANTS TO LOOK AT ABOLISHING THRUWAY AUTHORITY
Senator wants information on legality, cost

For Immediate Release:
January 11, 2007

State Senator Bill Stachowski will be introducing a measure in the NYS Legislature which will explore the legality and costs associated with the abolishment of the New York State Thruway Authority. Stachowski’s bill would create a temporary state commission to look into the future of the Authority, with special emphasis on the details needed to return the Thruway Authority to direct state control.

“Let’s face it” Stachowski said, “we’ve been talking about abolishing tolls, removing certain sections from the Authority’s control, and what role the Thruway Authority has in maintaining our state canal system. Why don’t we just take a look at what is involved in abolishing the entire Thruway Authority and have the Department of Transportation assume the duties now assigned to the Authority?”

The Senator’s legislation would charge a thirteen member commission with the examination of issues such as the legal implications if the Authority were to be dissolved; the projected costs associated with such an action; and the time frame needed to complete the dissolution. At the end of one year, the commission would be required to submit it’s findings to the Governor and State legislature.

“The Thruway Authority was created over fifty years ago to construct and then maintain the longest toll superhighway in the nation” the Senator pointed out. “Back then, the Thruway system was an engineering feat and was the first of its’ kind in the nation. During that time the Authority has done an admirable job of keeping the road in good shape and making it safe for the thousands of motorists that use the roadway each and every day. But it’s time may have come to an end.”

Stachowski acknowledged that the tolls charged by the Authority have been a favorite topic of complaint for upstate motorists, especially with the recent toll hikes implemented by Thruway board members. “Nobody likes to pay tolls just to move around in Erie and Niagara County” he said. “Nowhere else in the state do you have to pay a toll to go to your place of work, your child’s school, the mall or just visit a lakefront beach. Let’s finally take the steps needed to find out exactly what is involved in having the NYSDOT assume the responsibility for the upkeep of this roadway.”

Members of the commission will not be paid to serve, but would be entitled to reasonable expenses. The panel would also conduct public hearings and have all the powers of a legislative committee.

Stachowski plans to introduce the bill early next week.

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