The New York State Thruway Authority just approved its 2015 budget, and now both the Rockland and Westchester county executives are calling for an explanation.
Rob Astorino and Ed Day proposed that the state use part of a $5 billion settlement with banks to help pay for work on the new span without raising tolls.
Those banks, BNP Paribas SA and Credit Suisse Group AG, settled with the state over allegations they violated economic and tax regulations.
"Our figures show that using $1.9 billion from this settlement, the already high tolls of the Tappan Zee Bridge will likely be able to be held at its current levels," said Astorino.
Astorino and Day say there is support for their proposals among state legislators, but the two men want Gov. Andrew Cuomo to get on board as well.
A Cuomo spokesperson said, "The governor's objective is to protect toll payers and avoid or limit any toll increases to the greatest extent possible. We continue to pursue every potential financing option to achieve this goal."
Day and Astorino also claim that tolls on the entire Thruway system would have to go up if the settlement money is not used for the bridge.