A New Jersey Democratic congressman asserting a bid Friday to develop into the Backyard State’s subsequent governor blasted New York Gov. Kathy Hochul as “insane” Thursday for reviving the reviled congestion toll to enter Midtown Manhattan.
“It’s utterly absurd at a time of inflation. The added costs for Jersey motorists went from zero to $2,500,” Rep. Josh Gottheimer stated.
“It’s insane. I will work with any Democrat or Republican to fight this congestion tax.”
Gottheimer, a average first elected to Congress in 2016 representing communities that border the Jersey aspect of the Hudson River across the George Washington Bridge, stated the first-in-the-nation toll has induced a serious rift between New York and New Jersey’s elected officers.
The leaders of the 2 states collectively management the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which run the Hudson toll-crossings such because the GW Bridge and Lincoln and Holland tunnels in addition to the regional airports.
“We’ve always worked together,” he stated.
However the toll can be collected by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, a New York transit entity the place New Jersey has no say.
Most Jersey commuters who work in Manhattan in the course of the day take New Jersey Transit buses and practice service into Manhattan.
However many staff, together with nurses, who work in a single day shifts, don’t have that choice, Gottheimer stated, noting bus service doesn’t run in the course of the late or wee morning hours in components of his district.
“Some people have to drive. They have no choice,” he stated.
These drivers are already paying $15 to $17 in tolls to cross into Manhattan and New York, he stated.
The New Jersey Globe reported that Gottheimer will announce his bid for governor Friday on the Runway Diner in South Hackensack.
It will likely be a crowded Democratic discipline to switch Gov. Phil Murphy, additionally a congestion pricing opponent, whose time period expires on the finish of 2025.
Different Democratic candidates embody Jersey Metropolis Mayor Steve Fulop, former Senate President Steve Sweeney, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller.
One other Jersey congressional consultant, Mikie Sherrill, additionally is anticipated to leap within the race as early as Monday.
On the Republican aspect, former state legislator Jack Ciattarelli, who got here inside 3 factors of toppling Murphy in 2021, will run once more.
Different GOP gubernatorial candidates embody US Sen. Jon Bramnick , NJ 101.5 radio character Invoice Spadea and former New Jersey state Sen. Ed “The Trucker” Durr, in line with the New Jersey Globe.
