Senate Republicans’ Plan to Toll East River Bridges

News From New York State
Senator Shirley L. Huntley
For Immediate Release: April 27, 2011
Contact: Antonio Rodriguez | arodrigu@nysenate.gov | (518) 455-3531

Statement from Senator Shirley L. Huntley on
Senate Republicans’ Plan to Toll East River Bridges

(D-Jamaica) Senator Shirley L. Huntley recently stated “when the GOP gave tax breaks to the wealthiest a few weeks ago they said “no new taxes”; but now these same politicians want to place a new tax on Middle Class Families that are struggling to pay for everyday needs. The proposal by Long Island and Upstate Senate Republicans to place a toll on the East River bridges will cause irreparable harm to all commuters who rely on the bridges to travel home, to school and to work – we cannot let this happen.

“There are clearly issues facing mass transit in our city and reasonable solutions must be found. There is a traffic congestion problem, as well as concerns over having sufficient resources to maintain the operation of a public transportation that provides reliable transit for millions of New Yorkers. Addressing the condition of New York City’s transportation system, however, should not be solved with irresponsible tolls that place the burden on the backs of hardworking families, and instead with due diligence and input from all those who would be affected.

“To continue progressing as a city, and as a state, we need fresh ideas, but a new tax on hardworking New Yorkers is a regressive idea. Implementing the East River bridge tax will cost outer-borough commuters more while giving them less, and allow Upstate and Long Island to keep riding the gravy train.” Said Senator Huntley.

Additional news available at http://huntley.nysenate.gov and facebook.com/Shirley L. Huntley
New York State Senate Email | shuntley@nysenate.gov | (518) 455-3531