State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky makes a valid point about the proposed separation of the state Canal Corporation from the Thruway Authority.
“It doesn't matter if you have two ineffective and subservient authorities or one ineffective and subservient authority,” the chairman of the Assembly Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee said.
And while we agree that such a move would not be the cure for either troubled entity, it makes sense to go forward with this proposal from Gov. George Pataki.
Motorists in New York are still stinging from the recent toll increase, and no matter what promises and pledges were made when the thruway rates went up 25 to 35 percent last year, some of that money is going to the beleaguered canal system.
As bad as the thruway has been operated through the years, the canal system has been worse.
Remember how the leaders at the canal system sold the development rights for the entire system to a Buffalo businessman for a measly $30,000?
But beyond the mistakes is the issue of common sense. Sure, both systems involve transportation, but that's where the similarities end.
It's simply unfair to charge fees for the use of state roads without keeping all of those funds limited to the maintenance of the highway system. The canal system needs to figure out a way to sustain itself.
Pataki's numbers in promoting this idea look promising. He predicts the separation could save motorists about $110 million in tolls over the next six years.
About $144 million of additional funding would be free for road improvements.
And there's even some money left over to pay off canal debt.
Doubters may say these predictions are overly optimistic, but any amount of reduction in tolls and improvement in road conditions justifies this change.
And while we agree that such a move would not be the cure for either troubled entity, it makes sense to go forward with this proposal from Gov. George Pataki.
Motorists in New York are still stinging from the recent toll increase, and no matter what promises and pledges were made when the thruway rates went up 25 to 35 percent last year, some of that money is going to the beleaguered canal system.
As bad as the thruway has been operated through the years, the canal system has been worse.
Remember how the leaders at the canal system sold the development rights for the entire system to a Buffalo businessman for a measly $30,000?
But beyond the mistakes is the issue of common sense. Sure, both systems involve transportation, but that's where the similarities end.
It's simply unfair to charge fees for the use of state roads without keeping all of those funds limited to the maintenance of the highway system. The canal system needs to figure out a way to sustain itself.
Pataki's numbers in promoting this idea look promising. He predicts the separation could save motorists about $110 million in tolls over the next six years.
About $144 million of additional funding would be free for road improvements.
And there's even some money left over to pay off canal debt.
Doubters may say these predictions are overly optimistic, but any amount of reduction in tolls and improvement in road conditions justifies this change.
The Citizens' Say
There are 1 comment(s)
The Olde Taxpayer wrote on May 25, 2006 10:15 PM: