Winner- NYSTA Loser-The People and Toll fight – How Much is Enough?
I just got off the phone with Senator George Maziarz legislative aide in Albany. After a very long discussion of the 190 Toll Bill process. To recap we had a couple huge moves in the Senate, it is out of committee and was ready for a floor vote and debate when someone, we do not know who, slammed thee brakes on it. So there it sits in limbo, out of all the committees just waiting for the debate and a vote but where are our legislators? They have all gone home and this may not see the light of day until next year? This is unacceptable.
In the Assembly? even after a phone calling blitz, a fax blitz and as much of a lobbying effort I could give it without actually being there debating this issue with anyone that wanted to hear the facts, this Bill could not even make it out of committee. Bill A10003 is stuck in the Ways and Mean committee and that committee has 35 members. No wonder nothing gets done, I even wonder if there was any discussion. Not one single Assemblyman responded to my repeated requests as to where the Bill stood, not one. This is unacceptable.
After repeated emails to the Governors and I say that to cover Governors Pataki, Spitzer and Paterson, no one ever responded, none, not one.
The ONLY person that has stood far and above all the rest was and is Senator Maziarz and his staff. He is the only one that called, emailed and faxed information and kept us up to date. His staff knows exactly who we are and even recognizes my voice when I call every week. I want to openly Thank Senator Maziarz for everything that he and his staff has done and will continue to do with this crucial issue.
What was the hold up? MONEY, The Thruway Authority and their huge influence over our legislators do not want to lose the CASH COW at the Grand Island Tolls. So WHO wins? The Thruway Authority. Who loses? The people of Western New York who for the foreseeable future will continue to dump 30 Million Dollars into the thruway coffers so they can fund projects downstate. We know this from all the years past. Next year they will BORROW more than 45 Million to re-deck the South Bridge…. Instead of US going after Federal Highway Funding to rebuild and or Build New Bridges, The People of Western New York will continue to Pay and Pay dearly. For what? Another huge authority that acts on it’s own todo what it wants, unaccountable and apparently untouchable by Albany and our Legislators.
Whats the next step? As much as all of them would like me to sit down and shut up, we will continue on. I have requested an appointment with Governor Paterson. We will plan a rally, protest or something in the next few weeks, and I will make it a point to find out WHO slammed the Brakes on the Bill in the Senate and Who stopped this dead in it’s tracks. It is far past time to hold our legislators responsible and accountable for their inactions and their inability to properly represent the People of Western New York. We need your help top continue this battle
The death threats have not stopped me, the threats to burn down my hose have not stopped me and neither have the intimidation tactics. WE WILL WIN and these TOLLS WILL COME DOWN.
By the way……… Where is LOUISE SLAUGHTER? or Who is she? Do we have ANY Federal Representation in Grand Island Buffalo and Niagara Falls? This is HER district, this is not part of Brian Higgins. What has she done? NOTHING.
Rus Thompson
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