We have this beautiful state of New York to call home. We live about 300 miles for our state’s capital. The aged-old expression is “getting there would be half the fun”, yet quite expensive if you plan a road trip. People always ask me why I’m so “fedup”…. I’m getting to it. 
Ok, so like we have this NYSTA and this NYSDOT who won’t give out information of their departments unless otherwise FOIL’ed to do so.
If not for the FOIL and postings of Rus Thompson on his blog, we would not know:
Last year NYS DOT received $1.4 Billion in Federal Highway reimbursement funds, and approximately $4oo Million should have been allocated to the NY State Thruway System.
So now we understand the DOT requests the money for all of the Thruway, Interstate roads and bridges. Yet none of that money is applied to the NY State Thruway System, operated and controlled by the Thruway Authority. They are Billing the Feds for the Thruway and not using the funds for the Thruway.
What we need is a federal investigation is what Rus Thompson said in a comment, why have they not done one sooner is what I’d like to know. One of two reasons- either they know and don’t want to be accountable, or they continue to stay blind no matter what the average taxpaying citizens have to say.
This toll barrier we came upon while on our way to Canandaigua, NY. We made a pit stop to give some support to our Native Americans on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. A little Gas & go, no harm there, except when getting back our way, there is a toll. A price we all have to pay…
Indirectly, Thompson conitues:
This is a fraud being perpetrated against the use of Federal Highway Funds. This is also misuse and misallocation of funds clearly directed toward the Thruway and the Grand Island Bridges.
Why is the Federal Highway Administration not questioning any of this, or is it that once the money is out of their hands, they are cleared of answering any questions? Is this the standard process of “the blind leading the blind”?
While we can keep challenging the state on said issues, and one by one our toll barriers come down, how do you really know that such fraudulent activity is going to continue right under our noses?
Now the New York State Thruway Authority is talking about raising tolls, 5% each year for the next four years.
While America is known as “the home of the brave”…. New York State is best known as the home of the screwed! 
5 comments ↓
I spoke to Congressman Tom Reynolds office this morning, faxed them the information I have and am asking for a Federal Investigation.
His assistant put all this on Toms desk. I have tried Slaughter to no response, Higgins refuses to do anything in her district. My only hope at this point is Reynolds.
You’re not the first person I have had to hear from who’s talked about the Higgins/Slaughter “conflict of (politcal) interest” which has forced our areas to suffer.
to understand that mainly commerce is catigorized by zip code ive lived in nyc and totally understand the system…grew up in new jersey..love there system..got a home in western ny ..feel lost in a sea of stupidity as far as local gvmnt. is so described atleast you can easily get a job that pays exellent and guranteed full time, for less taxes than the taxes of wny only to begin!! whats with the enegy delivery charge..its only slightly less than ng bill..does consumer affares know of this!! auto insurance in wny use a person on a 6 month policy if you miss a payment or drop the policy,,you must turn in your nys licence plates that you already purchased..or your licence will be suspended..and a phone co. 6 mo. policy of free modem with int serv. & long distance phone serv. for 40 $ a month then you get a bill for install, but i got modem from ups and installed it myself,and a large long distance bill to boot..none of this could ever happen on the east coast…i feel under rule!!!
i would like to comment on sub # 2 above, those elected to represent our best intrests shall allways comprimise and expect to do so..becuse being stuck in traffic doesnt mean your not moving..but alas we the people read and respond here, officials analize and move on..hear this concentrate on our country we dont need world relations we have the power of the people..oh ye we say hear the people who gave you stay..for we made you..they can take it away !!!
also to address the issue of poverty, and zero economic growth fis.2007 of wny the ssd has an expert plan amending welfare to work program in such as to keep bloc grants stable and to just recycle poverty laiden citizens…all i have stated is on my part non discrimanitive ..and unfortunitly only the tip of the ice age..and ive only been in wny less than a year !!!
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