Request for USDOT, Buttigieg to require comprehensive review of the congestion tax’s burden on our commuters and public hearings in Northern New Jersey
Today, U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05) announced new federal steps to fight back against the proposed New York congestion taxes unfairly targeting hardworking New Jersey families for driving into midtown Manhattan. The federal government recently gave New York the green light to begin implementing their congestion tax scheme, which would whack New Jersey drivers with an estimated $3,000-per-year daily fee for taking the George Washington Bridge to head below 60th Street.
In a formal request made today, Pascrell and Gottheimer are urging U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to commit to a comprehensive review of the effects that this new congestion tax will have on New Jersey’s commuters, and to require a robust public participation process, including public hearings in Northern New Jersey. The Members cite how the proposed congestion taxes will impact access to federal highways, result in double taxation to many commuters, and damage the regional economy at a precarious moment during COVID-19 recovery.
Currently, no public hearings have been announced for commuters to weigh-in on how the congestion tax will harm their families.
“New Jerseyans are used to paying our fair share but New York’s congestion pricing scheme is a bridge too far,” said Rep. Pascrell. “New York’s plan would saddle Jersey commuters with extra taxes. This is wrong and we won’t stand for it. My friend Congressman Gottheimer and I are calling on the Biden Administration to right this wrong and ensure fairness for New Jersey drivers. Anything less is unacceptable.”
“Despite the hundred years of constructive cooperation, of sharing the costs and revenues of our bridges, tunnels, ports, and airports, New York is now trying to change the deal and stick it to their partner – the people of New Jersey – with a new Manhattan Moocher Congestion Tax. Yes, because of their own financial woes, New York City wants to blow up our historical cooperation, and hit every hard-working, middle class worker with an additional $14 congestion tax on top of the already unaffordable $15 toll every time they go over the George Washington Bridge and into Manhattan.,” said Rep. Gottheimer. “This is just New York mooching off Jersey to solve their own problems. It’s a ridiculous joke.”
Read Pascrell's and Gottheimer's letter to Transportation Secretary Buttigieg here.
Watch today’s announcement here.
Original source can be found here.
