Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bridge Tolls

Move NY Toll Reform Picks Up Eight Sponsors in Assembly

Momentum is building in the state assembly for the Move NY toll reform plan. Image: Move NY
Momentum is building in the Assembly for the Move NY toll reform plan. Image: Move NY
Image: Move NY

Eight more Assembly members are supporting the Move NY toll reform plan, which would cut traffic and raise revenue for transit by increasing the price of driving into the Manhattan core while lowering tolls on outlying bridges. The Move NY bill (A09633) now has 23 sponsors in the 150-member Assembly and four (all Democrats) in the Republican-controlled, 62-member State Senate.

East Harlem Assembly Member Robert Rodriguez introduced legislation in March based on the plan. At the time it had 15 sponsors in the Assembly. A little more than 50 are needed to secure a majority of votes representing the 12-county MTA service region.

Today the coalition announced the support of eight additional assembly members from across the New York metropolitan region: Brian Kavanaugh of Manhattan; Annette Robinson of Brooklyn; Vivian Cook of eastern Queens; Tom Abinanti, David Buchwald, and Amy Paulin of Westchester County; and Earlene Hooper and Fred W. Thiele, Jr. of Long Island.

Two of those legislators -- Cook and Hooper -- decided to get behind the plan without meeting with proponents, Move NY campaign director Alex Matthiessen told Streetsblog.

“We think the fact that this bill continues to attract attention and assembly members are coming forward to support the plan and put their name on the bill -- it suggests that we have growing momentum,” Matthiessen said.

Under the legislation, new toll revenue would be invested in the region’s transportation infrastructure, with $7.3 billion going to the MTA’s five-year capital plan and $4.5 billion going to a new entity called the Transit Gap Investment Fund, which would direct $3.5 billion to subway and bus network improvements and $1 billion to transit access and streetscape improvements in the city. Another $700 million would fund transit improvements in Long Island and the Hudson Valley.

With today’s co-sponsor announcement, the Move NY Coalition also said that Rodriguez will amend the bill to set up separate Transit Gap Investment Fund boards for Long Island and the Hudson Valley, each backed by $350 million.

Mattheissen said the increased local control will hopefully bring more suburban legislators on board. “We didn’t make those changes in a vacuum. We heard from elected officials in the suburbs that they liked the bill but these changes would make it easier for them to give their support.”

Matthiessen expects more legislators from the 12 counties served by the MTA to sign on as co-sponsors in the coming week. In the meantime, he is focused on finding a sponsor in the State Senate.

Ultimately, any campaign for toll reform has to convince Governor Cuomo to sign on. Cuomo has previously said he doesn't believe the plan is politically viable, but every new sponsor is a chink in that argument.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Five Ways New NYPD Boss Jessica Tisch Can Fix Our Dangerous Streets

If the Sanitation Commissioner wants to use her new position to make city streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, here's where she can start.

November 21, 2024

What Do the Mayoral Candidates Think Of ‘City of Yes’?

Too bad for Hizzoner that challengers Zellnor Myrie, Brad Lander, Scott Stringer, Jessica Ramos and Zohran Mamdani — all Democrats — aren't on the Council. 

November 21, 2024

Thursday’s Headlines: ‘Tisch Gets Wish in Rich Commish Switch’ Edition

We were pleasantly surprised that Mayor Adams chose Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch to give the NYPD a clean sweep. Plus other news.

November 21, 2024

‘Stars On Cars’ Rating System Will Finally Grade How Safe Vehicles Are For People Their Drivers Hit

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has finally changed the nation's consumer safety rating system for new automobiles to accommodate vulnerable road users.

November 21, 2024

Who is Trump’s Would-Be US DOT Secretary Sean Duffy?

Former Fox News host, congressman, reality TV star and competitive lumberjack Sean Duffy has said he wants to "take an ax" to Washington. Will non-automotive modes get the chop, too?

November 20, 2024
See all posts