In an effort to help farmers throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley and Capital Regions, Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) and Senator Terry Gipson (D-Rhinebeck) have introduced legislation in their respective houses that would lessen costs for farmers transporting their products on the New York State Thruway. Specifically, the legislation would create a farm vehicle tolls tax credit (A.7347/S.5195).

“Many of the small and mid-sized farms in the Hudson Valley are being offered new business opportunities when they bring their products to the greater New York City area. But the cost of traveling on the Thruway, the only real option for farm trucks, is simply too high," Assemblymember Barrett said. “This tax credit would allow farmers to recoup a significant part of the cost of tolls and help improve their bottom line.”

“I'm pleased to be working with Assemblymember Didi Barrett to extend this tax credit for the transportation of farm vehicles in New York State,” Senator Gipson said. “This bill will most assist our small family farms as we continue to work hard towards economic growth in the Hudson Valley. I’m confident that we will pass this legislation and our family farms remain the backbone of New York State’s agricultural industry.”

The farm vehicle tax credit would allow for farmers transporting goods on the New York State Thruway by farm vehicle to claim a tax credit equaling seventy-five percent of Thruway tolls paid for the transport of goods and services during one tax year. The credit is applicable for travel for the purpose of selling within 150 miles of a taxpayer’s farm – roughly the distance between Albany and New York City.

Currently, many small and medium size farm operations in the Mid-Hudson Valley are looking to sell their products in New York City, but the reality is that it is not financially feasible for many of these farmers. The farm vehicles or “box trucks” used to transport goods to New York are banned from traveling on the Taconic Parkway, and instead, farmers looking to sell their harvest must pay expensive tolls on the NYS Thruway – their only other option, Barrett said.

“Our local farmers feed our families and support our local economy,” Barrett said. “I will continue to fight to help them thrive and stay a vital part of our communities.”