ALBANY – As the Thruway Authority considers increasing certain commercial tolls by 45 percent, three Hudson Valley lawmakers have expressed their outrage.

Senators William Larkin and John Bonacic, and Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun, all Republicans, were critical of the plan.   Each of their districts includes a stretch of the Thruway.

Larkin said he is “adamantly opposed” to the proposed hike. “Just when the state is making strides to show the business community we are serious about making New York business-friendly, the Thruway Authority goes out of its way to stifle certain sectors of our business economy,” he said.

Such a toll hike would “dramatically raise costs on trucking companies that are transporting goods across the state,” said Bonacic. “While this is characterized as a commercial toll increase, businesses will not be the only ones affected. Ultimately, consumers will pay for these cost increases in the form of higher prices on all types of goods.”

Calhoun called the proposal “foolish” and said commercial trucks “help provide much-needed goods and services across our state and country. This hike has the potential to impact everyone, and place an unwarranted burden on businesses and taxpayers across the state.”