Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara has received a response from the New York State Comptroller’s Office to his letter regarding his concerns about the New York State Thruway Board of Directors recently approving a 10% toll hike proposal which includes a 5% increase in NY E-ZPass toll rates, as well as rates which are 75% higher for non-E-ZPass customers.

After the Thruway Authority voted to move forward their proposed toll hike, Santabarbara wrote a letter to the Comptroller calling for an updated audit of the state Thruway Authority’s spending practices before any toll increase can take effect — the first since the conversion to cashless tolling was completed. Specifically, Santabarbara cited past audits finding consistent issues with the Thruway Authority’s spending practices, lack of long-term financial planning, and inability to reduce costs and find ways to generate revenue other than raising tolls. Please click here to view the letter.

“It’s outrageous that the Thruway Board of Directors approved this toll hike proposal while families are struggling with inflation and the rising cost of goods and services”, said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “The Thruway Authority’s conversion to cashless tolling was expected to serve as a long-term cost-saving measure that would eventually be passed down to toll payers — but that never happened. Instead, 1,100 jobs were eliminated during the transition, and the Authority now decides to hit us with a toll hike that will only hurt hardworking families, especially here in the Capital District where so many use the Thruway to commute to work daily.”

In the Comptroller’s Office’s recent response to Santabarbara’s letter, the Comptroller’s Office assured that the toll hike proposal will be thoroughly scrutinized. The letter goes on to say that they will be reviewing the Thruway’s financial planning and spending. Please click here to view the letter.