Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) said Monday’s decision by the New York State Thruway Authority to skip toll hikes for the next two years is good news.  This decision shows the Authority responded to elected officials and drivers who criticized proposed hikes.

Rep. Engel said, “As a rule, I would oppose a toll hike, but in these troubled economic times it would be a horrible time for toll hikes. It would be bad policy in an area only now coming out of a recession. Hikes do not increase productivity and, in fact, they are a drag on the economy. This decision is good for drivers and the local economy.

“I opposed the toll increases when they were proposed, and it is very gratifying to see that the Thruway Authority listened to my advice, and those of the drivers who would have to pay them.”

Rep. Engel said that while the Thruway Authority could still call for a future toll increase, he hoped they would only do that is there was a real emergency, and as an easy way to balance their budget.

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