Paterson removes member against toll hike

Gov. David Paterson has put his stamp on the state Thruway Authority Board of Directors, replacing a holdover Western New York appointee with one of his own picks, and in the process removing the only board member to vote against the proposed Thruway toll hikes, according to a Buffalo radio station report.

Paterson has appointed Donna Luh of Cheektowaga to replace Jeffrey Williams of Lewiston. During last year's hearings on the proposed Thruway toll hike, Williams was the only board member to vote against the budget and related hikes now under consideration, the report states.

The Thruway Authority floated a plan last month to increase cash tolls by 5 percent in 2009, and another 5 percent in 2010, according to the report.

The cash rate for a car driving from New York City to Williamsville, just outside Buffalo, is now $15.15 on the half-century old superhighway. When fully implemented, the trip will cost $18.36 when paying in cash, or $17.58 if paid through E-ZPass, according to the report.