With the Thruway Authority canceling two consecutive meetings at the last moment over the past week and Authority leadership expressing opposition to a proposed 45 percent toll hike on commercial trucks, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) is crediting job creators and business advocates for making their voices heard on the issue. Hawley, who joined fellow lawmakers and pro-business groups like Unshackle Upstate in sounding the alarm on the proposed hikes beginning in June, applauded those who contacted the Thruway Authority to oppose the job-killing toll increase.

“Thanks to the constant pressure from local families, businesses, lawmakers and advocacy groups, the Thruway Authority has put their toll hike plan in reverse,” said Hawley. “The comments made by Thruway Authority Executive Director Thomas Madison and other high-ranking board members indicate that our message is being heard and common sense is prevailing. Such a drastic toll increase on commercial trucks would force businesses to either take their jobs out of New York or pass a cost increase onto consumers. We must continue to stand against this toll hike until the plan is officially discarded and our job creators are protected.”