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August 2, 2012
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House enacts Staten Island Rep. Grimm's toll-break shield

The congressman appeared in today’s Staten Island Advance:



STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A bill that would safeguard current toll discounts in New York, co-sponsored by Rep. Michael Grimm, passed the House Wednesday night by voice vote.

The bipartisan measure would permit municipal and state governments to offer discounted residential tolls on roads, bridges, rail, bus and ferry.

The legislation was forged in response to a 2009 case, Selevan v. New York Thruway Authority, that went before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second District, questioning the constitutionality of discounts for residents of towns bordering the Thruway.

Said Grimm: "On Staten Island, we have fought tirelessly to reach an agreement on residential toll discounts, which is why this legislation is crucial to ensure that the new rates are never called into question again by the courts. ... Passage of this bill is a small victory for the people of New York, particularly my constituents who commute over the Verrazano or the three Port Authority bridges connecting us to New Jersey. However, the fight is not over until immediate toll relief is brought to the businesses and jobs that are suffering as the result of the P.A.'s outrageous toll hikes on commercial vehicles."



 

Endorsements

  • Afghanistan & Iraq Veterans for Congress
  • Combat Veterans for Congress
  • ConservAmerica
  • Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani
  • Humane Society Legislative Fund
  • International Association of Fire Fighters
  • International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Shipbuilders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers
  • International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots
  • International Union of Operating Engineers
  • International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
  • Laborers International Union of North America
  • Marine Engineers Beneficial Association
  • Move America Forward Freedom PAC
  • National Association of Letter Carriers
  • National Defense PAC
  • National Federation of Independent Business
  • National Postal Mail Handlers Union
  • National Right to Life
  • National Rural Letter Carriers Association
  • National Vietnam & Gulf War Veterans Coalition
  • New York City Building and Construction Trades Council
  • New York State Fraternal Order of Police
  • Recreational Fishing Alliance
  • Seafarers International Union of North America - Brotherhood of the Sea
  • Sheet Metal Workers International Association
  • Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro
  • Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Superior Officers Benevolent Association
  • Uniformed Fire Officers Association
  • Uniformed Firefighters Association
  • United Association Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and HVAC Service Techs
  • United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
  • United States Chamber of Commerce
  • United Transportation Union
  • United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers