Tony Avella for Mayor

On Monday, Tony Avella denounced recent reports that the Ravitch Commission is considering asking the City to implement tolls on the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg, and Queensboro Bridges.

“Despite the ever present need for additional revenue, the imposition of tolls on the East River Bridges is not an acceptable revenue generating option,” stated Avella. “In the current economic climate, New Yorkers are in no position to face another huge increase in their daily living expenses. Adding tolls to any of these bridges would have a devastating effect on working and middle class families and small business.”

“Given the fact that New Yorkers are already the highest taxed citizens in the country, I urge the Ravitch Commission to reconsider implementing tolls and concentrate on developing other sources of revenue. It should be the responsibility of the leaders of the city to find ways of increasing revenues to improve mass transit without placing the fiscal burden upon those who can least afford it,” concluded Avella.

Tony has been a long-standing opponent of a toll system and will not support East River Tolls, as Mayor.