Good News for Cross Bay Bridge Resident Toll Rebate Program....

Governor Andrew Cuomo's Proposed New York State 2012-2013 Budget which was released yesterday includes proposed legislation that would require the State to sufficiently reimburse the MTA to allow for the reinstatement of the Cross Bay Bridge Resident Toll Rebate Program which was discontinued by the MTA in July 2010.

Excerpt from the Governors Budget proposal (page 78)....

"Pay MTA Costs Associated with a Toll Discount Program. The Executive Budget

includes legislation stating that the State shall pay the MTA for the costs associated with

promoting access to employment through reimbursements for E-ZPass tolls paid by

residents of Broad Channel and the Rockaway Peninsula and travel over the Cross Bay

Veterans Memorial Bridge."

Although the inclusion of this legislation in the Governor's proposed budget is great news, keep in mind that this budget will be a difficult one for the Governor to pass in light of his proposed pension reforms and mandate for a Teacher Evalutaion System so nothing is yet "set in stone."

Let's all keep our fingers crossed!  

Governor'sBudgetProposal