TEDISCO OPPOSES THRUWAY TOLL HIKE AND SUNY TUITION INCREASE

For immediate release

Says proposed Thruway toll hike, SUNY tuition increase and lagging Upstate economy constitute a gathering “Perfect Financial Storm” for New Yorkers, calls for public hearings on Thruway tolls

The proposed Thruway toll and SUNY tuition hikes, coupled with a lagging Upstate economy, are worrisome signs of a potentially gathering “Perfect Financial Storm” that could hit New Yorkers where it hurts the most – their wallets – said Assembly Republican Leader James Tedisco (R,C,I-Schenectady-Saratoga). Tedisco is calling for public hearings on the proposed Thruway toll increase.

“Hiking Thruway tolls, raising SUNY tuition, having Upstate continually mired in serious job and population losses, it’s beginning to look like the ‘Perfect Financial Storm’ is brewing for hard-working New Yorkers,” Tedisco said.

The proposed Thruway toll hike would constitute a five percent increase of Thruway tolls in 2009 and 2010. The slated SUNY increase would raise tuition by five percent for next fall.

“There’s a distinct possibility New Yorkers may get a lump of coal this holiday season thanks to proposals that would hike Thruway tolls and SUNY tuition. Neither one of these ill-conceived ideas does a single thing to address New York’s affordability crisis,” said Tedisco.

“Increasing Thruway tolls amounts to ‘geographic discrimination’ for Upstate residents, which is why our Conference will launch a series of public hearings across the state beginning next week to hear directly from families and employers on this issue,” Tedisco stated.

“By not speaking out against the proposed Thruway toll and SUNY tuition hikes, does Governor Spitzer’s silence indicate he tacitly supports this effort? After recently promising no new tax increases at the Business Council dinner, should New Yorkers now assume that code phrases like ‘revenue enhancers,’ ‘loophole closures,’ and now ‘toll and tuition hikes’ are synonymous with tax increases?” Tedisco asked.

“Some may try and pass the buck for the proposed toll and tuition hikes to the Thruway Authority and the SUNY Board of Trustees. But that dog won’t hunt. The bottom line is that Governor Spitzer is the Chief Executive of this state and those entities ultimately answer to him. He has the power to reject these costly proposals and should do so without delay,” Tedisco said.

“Recognizing the ongoing financial hardships many families already face due to soaring gas prices, the proposed Thruway toll and SUNY tuition hikes will only add to their fiscal burdens. New Yorkers currently struggling to make ends meet would be hit the hardest by these proposals,” Tedisco concluded.

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