A state lawmaker is taking the Thruway Authority to task for one of the vendors chosen as part of a $450 million makeover of all 27 service areas located on the Thruway.
The complaint comes from Rochester-area Assemblymember Harry Bronson. He is crying foul with word that one of the new restaurants to be part of the massive renovation, which started this month, is Chick-fil-A.
Bronson and the other two legislators who are part of the Assembly’s LGBTQ caucus have written to the Thruway Authority’s executive director, expressing concerns about past support by Chick-fil-A’s charitable foundation for organizations hostile to LGBTQ rights.
Bronson said in New York, the state has taken the correct policy decision to recognize the dignity and support the human rights of all individuals.
“So when we’re making decisions regarding what vendor the state will contract with, or authorities the state will contract with, we should keep that public policy in mind,” Bronson said.
Bronson contends that the Thruway moving ahead with a plan to involve Chick-fil-A in the renovation plans is inconsistent with that policy.
The Thruway Authority released a statement saying that it supports an inclusive environment and that every restaurant brand that the private partner handling the redevelopment considered is legally required to adhere to the inclusive and non-discriminatory standards that New York state embraces.
