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May 3, 2006
Re: Bridge and Tunnel PassageIn August 2004, certain state legislators informed the PBA that the New York State legislature had come up with $2 million in funds for a pilot program that would allow police officers free passage on all TBTA bridges and tunnels. It has been more than eighteen months since this announcement and the program has yet to be put in place. Numerous issues, including the program's legality, whether any employees other than police oficers could benefit, how the program would be implemented and whether the legislature would commit to funding in the future, have stalled the project. While this limited program would have represented a modest first step in our goal to secure permanent free passage on our bridges and tunnels for all police officers, we are completely disappoined with the legislature's inaction and continued delays in getting the program going. In light of the present status of the program, and the lack of cooperation we have received in its implementation, we do not see even the limited program being implemented in the near term. And given the dilution of this program, even the modest funds originally set aside for the program will be further diluted by a greater number of participants from other unions. We will continue to press for permanent legislation and, in the short term, push for a pilot program that is more substantial, and more readily available for usage by our members. We will advise you of any new developments as they occur.
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