Albany's Insanity

I can only hope that Lucinski is being sarcastic here with the statement about patronage jobs… We all know the truth. But over 700 Authorities? We’re screwed unless Albany has the wherewithal to do something about them. Do they? I doubt it, but maybe, just maybe, they have it to start and starting with the biggest obstacle to financial help here in Western NY is the TA and the Power Authority. At least start by doing something right for once. The public pressure has never been greater than right now but that pressure MUST continue otherwise Albany will just let it all fade away.

In establishing these authorities, state officials reasoned that these kinds of functions could be run separate from state government and could borrow money without affected the state’s credit. The fact that they could also hide political deadwood in high-paying, low-visibility patronage jobs certainly never, ever crossed their minds.

LUCINSKI: Public pressure over Thruway tolls

Someone finally noticed.

The New York State Thruway Authority may have gone to the toll increase well one too many times. Or at least, it went back to the well too soon.

On Sunday, state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli slapped the authority’s wrist when issuing a promised audit.
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Why is it now 50 Million? We have been told all along the number to run the Canal system was 80 Million even Pataki told us 80…. Do our politicos just pull numbers out of thin air? Sometimes, well most time I think so. Any way doing this is just the first step in the right direction. Stay tuned more coming soon. Sam Hoyt told me he would put in legislation to take the canals away and fund it through the Parks. Let’s see.

DiNapoli wants Thruway to cut canal ties

ALBANY — Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli told the Assembly Transportation Committee today that he, too, believes the state canal system should be detached from the Thruway Authority.

But DiNapoli said that losing the canals shouldn’t be viewed as a cure-all for financial issues that prompted Thruway officials to propose another series of toll hikes.
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As expected the Thruway Authority has responded as I expected. With Contempt and an extremely condescending attitude. I don’t care how the Albany Politicians handle this as long as in the end the Tolls are removed from the Niagara section of the 190 and the Grand Island Bridges, the Canals are removed from the Thruway Authorities jurisdiction, the other roads in the budget for the Thruway Authority are reassigned to the D.O.T. as the 87 downstate and all the surrounding projects they have. With the intention of taking steps to eliminate the Authority altogether.

NYS THRUWAY: Comptroller says no need for higher tolls

By Rick Pfeiffer/pfeifferr@gnnewspaper.com

BUFFALO — With a collection of federal and state legislators, Republicans and Democrats alike, standing behind him and nodding their agreement Sunday, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli delivered a resounding response to plans by the State Thruway Authority to raise tolls on their highway this summer.

“The Thruway Authority should call off its toll hike and postpone any future hikes until it completes any analysis of its operations,” DiNapoli said.
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I just received this from The Governors Office.

From the time the Thruway Authority put forward this latest round of proposed toll, increases we have refused to endorse them because of outstanding questions about their necessity. Based on the findings of an audit issued by the Comptroller’s office, we reject any proposed toll increases. We support the Comptroller’s recommendations that the Authority undertake an in-depth review of spending, prioritize its capital budget, and review and justify its borrowing practices. Especially in this time of economic uncertainty, the Authority must prove it is responsibly spending funds before it asks New Yorkers to pay more. We thank the Comptroller for shining light on many of these persistent questions.The Authority should now turn its attention to resolving these issues.

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Here is the full Audit Report from the Office of The NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. I linked to all the PDF files. I have two copies of the report and they are very interesting reading.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today released his audit of the State Thruway Authority and said the Thruway Authority should call off its proposed July 2008 toll hike. DiNapoli also said the Thruway should postpone future hikes until it has conducted a thorough analysis of its expenses and operations and prioritized capital projects. The audit examined whether the calculations used in justifying proposed toll increases in July 2008, January 2009, July 2009 and January 2010 were accurate and reasonable.

Read the complete report after the page break. (more…)

It’s nice to see that this story is being picked up across the state. If the Board of the Thruway Authority continues to show their arrogance and the attitude of, we will do what we want because we can, then they should step down. I will say that Jeff Williams the rep from WNY is the only one that voted against the toll increase. Jeff agrees with my assessment that the Grand Island Tolls and the Niagara section of the Thruway belongs in the hands of the D.O.T. DiNapoli agreed too and said he would look more into the Grand Island toll issue and how the money collected here does not stay here. Stay tuned, this can only get more exciting as we move forward.

Thruway toll hike not favored by Comptroller

STATEWIDE — The Thruway’s toll hikes get a thumbs down from Comptroller Tom Dinapoli. His office’s audit says the Authority must manage its own finances better. The audit says it underestimated its federal aid by millions, and needs to collect $30 million in unpaid tolls.

The audit also says the thruway has many construction projects that could be put off until its finances are in better shape. It also says that the Canal Corporation is managed poorly and should be run by someone else.
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