Albany - Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Beach), today celebrated a huge victory in passing an unprecedented bill through the New York State Assembly that would prohibit the imposition and collection of a fare, toll, rental, rate, charge or other fee on the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge (CBB) (A.08743A/S.06909A). Pheffer Amato is the first, and only, representative from Southern Queens to pass such a bill through the NYS Assembly.

“I made a pledge before taking office that I would work to eliminate the Cross Bay Memorial Bridge Toll,” Pheffer Amato said. “Today, I had a thrilling win and a great step forward for our community. As I have said countless times: The CBB toll has outlived its original stated purpose of paying for the bridge, and has absolutely no stated current purpose other than supplementing the MTA’s budget on the backs of hard working New Yorkers. I’m absolutely certain the cost of ending this onerous toll would be made up several times over with the freedom and ease of access it would bring to South Queens and the Rockaway Peninsula,”

Pheffer Amato continued, “I so much appreciate Speaker Carl Heastie, the Assembly leadership, and the advocacy of our community who all helped in getting this bill passed through the Assembly. I look forward to a speedy passage in the Senate and signature by Governor Cuomo.”

The bill is currently sponsored in the Senate by Senator Joseph P. Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) and will be sent to the Senate to be voted on.