Press Conference Friday morning at the Grand Island Town Hall. Who says we can’t change the way government works? Well here is proof that constant perserverance despite the threats and name calling, it can be done. This is not over until I see the tolls come down on the Grand Island Bridges.

Bill Puts Niagara Section of Thruway Under State Control

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Bill Puts Niagara Section of Thruway Under State Control

Updated: Feb 21, 2008 12:52 PM

(Grand Island, NY, February 21, 2008) - - It’s the latest effort to get rid of the Grand Island Tolls. News 4’s Jericka Duncan has the latest on the developing story.

State Senator George Maziarz says there’s a bill in the state senate right now to put the Niagara section of the New York State Thruway authority, under the control of the State Department of Transportation.

Maziarz says Rus Thompson who’s been fighting the tolls for several years, was responsible for much of the research for this legislation.

Thompson says if the D.O.T. has control of the Thruway, it would be eligible for more federal dollars.

Recently an audit found the Thruway has significantly underestimated federal funding and has spent more than a billion dollars on non-thruway projects.

A news conference is scheduled Friday on this topic. Senator Maziarz told me the legislation is currently in a committee. It has to be passed by the Senate, then go on to the Assembly before it could even become law.

I’ll have much more on the story Thursday night on News 4 at 5.