Shift Lock Actuator

I have a 1995 Buick Regal with 70,000 miles on it that I just bought a few weeks ago. The car runs great and is in good condition for something so old but I have one little problem. When ever I go to shift OUT OF PARK, I have to push down hard on the floor console shifter to get it to pull out of park. It will eventually come out of park, but its a pain. My mechanic said that the shift lock actuator is bad but since it costs a lot to replace, I don't need to replace it right away. I have noticed that if I engage the emergency parking brake before hand and shift OUT OF PARK with the emergency parking brake engaged, it will come out of park just fine.

My question is this: by me not getting the shift lock actuator replaced right away and just shifting it out of park with the emergency brake on, am I going to cause long term damage to the transmission? I am okay with doing my little routine, but I just want to make sure I am not damaging the transmission in the long term.

Thanks!

My question