STATEWIDE -- A proposal to combine the Thruway Authority with the Department of Transportation was announced today.

It comes from State Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, who says the move would then require legislative approval for any toll increases.

The proposal comes as the Thruway Authority is considering a toll hike of as much as 45 percent for tucks. Kolb says even people who don't drive trucks would pay the price.

"Consumers, families will end up paying those costs, plus truck traffic will go on local roads that can't support truck traffic because they can't afford the tolls," he explained.

This comes after Senators Pat Gallivan and Mark Grisanti and Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak proposed separating the state's canal system from the Thruway Authority as another way to stop a proposed toll hike. That proposal would also transfer control to the Department of Transportation.