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History
- Referred to transportation
Full text
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Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A9816
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requiring legislative approval of increases in fees, rentals and charges for the use of the thruway system
Purpose
Requires the Thruway Authority to obtain Legislative approval before implementing toll increases which are greater than those required to fulfill obligations to bondholders and to provide for the maintenance and operation of the existing Thruway system.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 adds a new subdivision 8-a to section 354 of the Public Authorities Law setting forth conditions under which Legislative approval may be required prior to implementation of a Thruway toll increase.
Section 2 is a severability clause.
Section 3 is the effective date.
Existing law
Existing law makes no provisions for Legislative oversight of Thruway toll increases.
Justification
Recent Thruway toll increases have drawn a firestorm of opposition from motorists and truck operators. An initial increase of 10% in 2008 was followed by 5% increases in 2009 and 2010. This means that drivers will be paying $370 million more in tolls.
Increasing Thruway tolls amounts to geographic discrimination against upstate residents, who are already struggling due to the current economy. Toll increases may also divert commercial traffic to alternate routes, such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike, resulting in revenue losses to businesses such as fuel stops and restaurants. Requiring Legislative approval for toll increases which exceed the amount necessary to fulfill bondholder obligations will ensure a full public review of impacts on the upstate regions served by the Thruway.
Legislative history
New in 2010
Fiscal implications
None.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediate.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.