ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The state Thruway Authority’s proposal for what it calls a “modest” 45 percent increase in truck tolls faces angry New Yorkers this week in often little noticed summer hearings while a national TV ad blitz tries to sell a business-friendly “new New York.” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said last week he is trying to find a way to reduce the toll increase proposed by the Thruway Authority controlled by his appointees. But Cuomo defends the need for an increase to keep the Thruway Authority fiscally sound as it reports double-digit increases in maintenance costs partly from tropical storm damage and increases in health care costs.

“The Thruway Authority has to be financially capable,” Cuomo said in an interview Friday on public radio’s “Capitol Connection.” He said the authority created to operate the statewide system decades ago must be able to meet its debt payments from capital borrowing. Compared to other states, Cuomo said, truck tolls “are not that high.”