Albany's Insanity

Special Thanks goes out to Mark Grisanti who if elected will represent this district. He was there and spoke to everyone and gave his commitment to follow through and get our toll Bill to the floor for a vote. As Mark has been knocking on doors in this district, he sees just how important this issue is to all of us. Mark walked and talked to everyone. Thank you Mark.
Antoinne Thompson was a no show.

A big Thank you to David DiPietro, David drove all the wat in from East Aurora to join us and give us his solemn promise to stand toe to toe with us to end these tolls. Although this is no where near his Senate district David showed us all his committment to help all the people of Western New York. David agrees with us all that eliminating these tolls and keeping 32 Million of our dollars in WNY is crucial to the economy.
Dale Volker was a no show.

Francine Delmonte joined us and we had a good conversation, she also agrees with us but also tried to explain about the economy and how Albany uses the surplusses from the authorities to help balance the budget, it’s a matter of economics and of course politics. Thank you Francine for coming out and also speaking to the people one on one.

Think about this now. We are still fighting the tolls. This time it is entirely a grass roots effort and we are closer than ever to getting this done. Why? Because for years everyone went after the thruway authority, an unelected, appointed, unaccountable “AUTHORITY” that answers to no one and even over the objections of the legislature and the governor they still raise tolls across the state. We got hit with a 33% increase where the rest pay 10% more.

Our battle changed course earlier this year, instead of focusing on the thruway authority we made the decision to make this a governmental issue taking the thruway out of the way. By turning the 190 over to the NYSDOT and eliminating the TA’s reign and control the tolls will be gone. Instead the 190 and the Grand Island Bridges will be maintained by federal highway funds. These funds we pay every time we buy gas and diesel, $.19 per gallon. Last year the DOT collected 1.4 Billion but not a dime made it to the 190 or the bridges, although the federal government was billed for these highway lane miles.

Currently our toll bill S6824 sits on the floor in the senate just waiting to be voted on. Assembly Bill A10003 still sits in committee and our Western New York delegation has failed us to get it out and a vote taken. Why? Why when just this past session the assembly voted to remove two separate tolls on the main line thruway DOWNSTATE.

Downstate gets their way yet again while we are tossed aside like an unwanted stepchild. The WNY delegation says they agree with our Bill and also have expressed their desire to reduce and eliminate the thruway authority yet they seem powerless to actually represent us. Call them and tell them it is time. Come out and give a show of support Saturday at Isle View Park on River Rd right by the Grand Island Bride, Saturday August 30th between 2 and 3 PM. I have invited all of them to be there to explain to you where they stand.