Albany watch: New complaints on Tappan Zee funding

The surprises keep coming regarding Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's proposal to rebuild the Tappan Zee Bridge.

A legislative panel last week approved the governor's idea to help fund the project with money traditionally earmarked for drinking water and sewage projects. Just before the vote, the Cuomo administration divulged that it cut the requested amount in half, to $255 million, after environmentalists and fiscal watchdogs squawked. The rest would be borrowed in 2016.

Some were unsatisfied. "Using clean water funds to build a bridge is not creative leadership," said Peter Iwanowicz, executive director of Environmental Advocates, a watchdog group. And tolls? State Thruway Executive Director Tom Madison said no hikes are planned for this year or next.-- Yancey Roy