It also owns and maintains the Walkway Over the Hudson, but that structure is operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

[4] NYSBA has been self-sufficient throughout its more than eighty-five year history, operating without Federal or State tax monies and reinvesting toll revenues to continue to maintain and improve these vital Hudson River Crossings.

In 2020 Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed to merge NYSBA with the New York State Thruway Authority but withdrew the plan after opposition from the Hudson Valley delegation to the state legislature, who feared it would be detrimental to the bridges and lead to higher tolls[6] They believed Cuomo's real goal was to use NYSBA's budget surpluses to offset the Thruway Authority's deficits and subsidize its construction projects.

Legislators accused Cuomo of trying to install a board that would be more amenable to the governor's merger plans;[7] state senator Sue Serino of Hyde Park voted against confirming all of the replacements, and some of her colleagues from the region opposed some.

The Authority believes its mandate imposes a responsibility to provide reliable, safe and convenient access across the river to all lawful traffic and to achieve that goal within the framework of a sound long-term financial policy.

The elements of that policy are: An unqualified commitment to meet all obligations to the bondholders in the full letter and spirit of the Authority's General Revenue Bond Resolution and the covenants made therein; A vigorous, integrated program of inspection, maintenance, repair and rehabilitation to insure the structural integrity of its facilities and the safety of its patrons; Control of expenditures to the extent consistent with prudent stewardship and responsible administration; and The lowest possible toll rates which at the same time enable the Authority to meet its obligations and responsibilities as well as provide for adequate financial reserves.

This officer also acts as liaison to the multiple police agencies whose jurisdictions overlap Authority facilities and performs traffic enforcement and incident response services.