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Rockland legislator pushes for county discount on Gov. Mario Cuomo Bridge
Posted: Updated:There's a growing debate about whether or not Rockland residents deserve a discount on the new Gov. Mario Cuomo Bridge.
Legislator Nancy Low Hogan spearheaded a resolution that unanimously passed the county Legislature Tuesday urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to give Rockland residents a discount for driving over the Mario Cuomo Bridge. Those who drive daily would get the greatest cut in cost.
“If you have to deal with high tolls to get to work, who's going to want to live here?” she asks.
Drivers now pay $5 or $4 with an E-ZPass. That price is frozen until 2020, but after that, sources say the Thruway Authority could hike the toll up to as much as $10 per trip or more.
Realtor Paul Adler says a toll bump to $10 could bring down home values by 5% to 10%
He says it would also dissuade potential employers from moving west.
A spokesperson for the Thruway Authority told News 12 they don't have a time frame on when they will make a decision and won't speculate on what the cost of a new toll might be.