STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR DAVID A. PATERSON ON NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY AUTHORITY'S TOLL INCREASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 24, 2008

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR DAVID A. PATERSON ON NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY AUTHORITY'S TOLL INCREASE

The Thruway toll increase is unfair to drivers who are being asked to tighten their belts everyday in these troubled economic times. I have asked my agencies for across-the-board cuts of 3.35 percent in their operations. I am also undertaking a comprehensive review of the budget to further reduce spending. For the authority to increase tolls now, and also plan 5 percent increases in the following two years without a commitment to take every possible step to reduce spending, runs against the state's goal of fiscal restraint in the face of a national economic downturn.