Bruce Willis said in popular movies “This is a bad idea.” 

In 10 days the New York State budget will be voted on by your state legislators. Stated very clearly in that budget is the handover of our Mid-Hudson bridges to the control of the New York State Thruway Authority.

I cannot emphasize this any stronger—

“THIS IS A BAD IDEA”

Democratic Assemblyman Kevin Cahill said “all of the money currently raised by the Bridge Authority is spent here in the Mid-Hudson Valley, and that is how it should be.”

“It is my hope and that of my colleagues,” Cahill said, “that … Cuomo will reconsider his proposal and, instead, focus on other areas of our state operations where real efficiencies can be achieved and where the opportunity for consolidation is a better fit.” According to Cahill, the Governor’s budget conveniently “ignores that the Bridge Authority is already one of the most efficient agencies of state government, being completely supported by reasonably priced tolls with no additional tax dollars necessary.” 

Democratic Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson said that if the merger happens, “the benefits and efficiencies currently enjoyed by Hudson Valley residents will be lost.” 

Democratic Assemblyman James Skoufis called the merger “a backdoor attempt to raise our Mid-Hudson tolls to subsidize the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.” 

Democratic Senator Jen Metzger said “The New York State Bridge Authority is an efficient, well-run organization that successfully operates and maintains five bridges in the Hudson Valley at low cost, and we should keep it that way. There are no efficiencies to be gained by the governor’s proposal to abolish the Bridge Authority and shift its responsibilities to the Thruway Authority, and there is only one direction for tolls to go under this scenario: up.”

“Hudson Valley residents would be poorly served by the proposed merger, and I strongly oppose its inclusion in the budget,” Metzger said.

The budget still must be approved by the state Legislature, which often makes changes before voting. Fight this government policy. It’s not for your best interests in our Mid-Hudson valley. Speak up now while there’s still time, and let your state representatives know you do not want this change.

You can stop “a bad idea.”