Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced that legislation she authored and passed in the Assembly for three consecutive years has passed the Senate and now awaits the Governor’s signature. The legislation will help local farmers on the cost of transporting their goods to markets across the state. Specifically, the bill would create a tax credit for authorized farm vehicles that pay tolls on the New York State Thruway (A.2414).

“One of the biggest burdens small and medium size farms face is the cost of getting their goods to the markets. With restrictions on the Parkway, farmers are forced to use the Thruway and pay costly tolls, in some cases up to $10,000 a year, “ Assemblymember Didi Barrett said. “This bill creates a tax credit to help them get some of that money back.”

The measure would allow for authorized farm vehicles transporting goods on the New York State Thruway to claim a tax credit equaling 75 percent of Thruway tolls paid during the year. In order to ensure small and medium size farms are the ones who benefit, the credit is applicable for vehicles up to 26,000 pounds and travel purposes within 150 miles of the taxpayer’s farm.

“Transportation costs can limit a farm’s profitability, including when the Thruway may be the only option to getting goods to market. Assemblywoman Barrett’s bill is a business friendly approach that will make farmers more competitive. This will especially be beneficial for Hudson Valley farmers who participate in markets throughout New York City and must pay costly Thruway and bridge tolls. Both farmers and their customers will benefit from the savings. New York Farm Bureau thanks the Assemblywoman for the successful passage of the legislation,” said Dean Norton, New York Farm Bureau President.

"In order to be successful as a small farm, we need to be able to access the New York City market, but the tolls take a huge chunk out of our profit margin. This bill brings relief to small farms like ours, allowing farmers to get the full value of their product," said Ben Shute, Co-owner of Hearty Roots Community Farm in Columbia County.

“I have been advocating for this legislation for three years now and I am delighted to see that it has finally passed the Senate. I want to thank Senator Marchione for sponsoring it in the Senate and I call on the Governor to sign it into law and provide real relief to our local farmers,” noted Barrett.

In addition, a bill that Assemblymember Barrett authored and passed in the Assembly, that amends the Agriculture and Markets Law by encouraging local municipalities to prioritize and identify prime farmland for a new generation of farmers recently passed the Senate and awaits the Governor’s signature as well (A.2369).

"Throughout the Hudson Valley and across the state we are seeing a new generation of young farmers willing to literally put down roots to feed our families and communities -- this despite serious obstacles like high land prices, student loan burdens and serious business challenges. This legislation will support and encourage those new farmers and ensure that agriculture remains a vital sector of our economy for future generations. I commend my colleague, Senator Marc Panepinto, for his advocacy on this issue and I urge the governor to sign this bill into law.”