The Daily Freeman is reporting Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposal to merge the New York State Bridge Authority into the state Thruway Authority has been rejected by the state Legislature. "We saved local residents from being called on to subsidize distant roads while ours languish,” said Assemblymember Kevin Cahill, an opponent of the plan. The proposal was killed during negotiations over the 2020-21state budget. The plan called for the Thruway and the five Hudson River crossings operated by the Bridge Authority to be managed by a single agency. Opponents of the merger feared the cost of Thruway projects would be passed, in part, to users of the upstate bridges in the form of higher tolls. The five bridges operated by the Bridge Authority are the Rip Van Winkle, Kingston-Rhinecliff, Mid-Hudson, Newburgh-Beacon and Bear Mountain. The toll for eastbound passenger vehicles is $1.50 for those paying cash and $1.25 for E-ZPass users. Westbound crossings are free. The Thruway Authority operates its namesake highway and several other highways in the state, as well as the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.