It is no secret that our families and local businesses are fighting to pull themselves out of a downed economy. That is why I am strongly opposing the Thruway Authority’s proposed plan to raise tolls on large trucks by almost 45 percent starting Sept. 30.
This toll increase would have the most direct hit on our region’s small businesses that transport goods around New York State. The 45 percent increase would mean large trucks that now pay $88 to travel from Buffalo to New York City would have to pay $127 per one-way trip. It would increase a truck’s cost to travel from Buffalo to Albany from $20 per trip to $44.70.