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FORT LEE – Phil Murphy came across as a reluctant warrior, but a warrior just the same.
Appearing Friday morning a few blocks north of the George Washington Bridge, the governor said New Jersey is going to court over planned “congestion pricing” in Manhattan.
Murphy said the step gives him “zero joy” and noted his usual good relations with the Biden Administration and Kathy Hochul, his New York counterpart.
Specifically, the state is suing the U.S. Transportation Department and the Federal Highway Administration to force the feds to do a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement on the plan. Clearly, Murphy thinks such a study will doom the proposal, which is ticketed to start next spring.
As discussed for years, congestion pricing would charge motorists driving into Manhattan south of 60th Street as much as $23 a trip. Details on possible discounts still need to be worked out, but the threat of a $23 cost – on top of bridge and tunnel tolls – for New Jersey residents visiting the city has state politicians riled up.
The reason for this is to eliminate traffic congestion in Manhattan and raise money for public transit.
Murphy’s take was that New York state gets the benefits while New Jersey residents get the burden.
And in a swipe at Chris Christie, the governor said he may feel differently about the plan if new rail tunnels under the Hudson were in operation, thereby giving commuters a good alternative to driving. Christie killed that plan when he was governor, although it was recently revitalized.
The governor likes talking about an “all star lineup” of officials on hand for such events and today was no exception. All stars or not, those on hand at the borough’s youth center included Sen. Bob Menendez, House members Bill Pascrell Jr., and Josh Gottheimer, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin plus a number of other state, county and local officials.
In a testament to the bipartisan nature of the morning, Republican Sen. Jon Bramnick also attended, but was not called on to speak.
There was, of course, no disagreement among those who did.
Each took turns espousing their own rhetorical flourishes.
Menendez called what New York is doing a “brazen money grab.” He also noted that many Manhattan office buildings have not recovered from the pandemic, so why make it more costly for potential workers to drive to them?
Pascrell said this is a case of the good folks across the river telling New Jersey to “drop dead.”
Gottheimer had a warning to those pushing congestion pricing.
“If you screw with New Jersey, buckle up,” he said.
Fierce verbiage has its place, but has no bearing in court.
How the litigation will develop is unknown. The governor was asked if the state would seek an injunction to halt the plan pending legal review. That’s not yet known.
The state’s main beef appears to be the cost to drivers and the fact New Jersey won’t receive any of the projected revenue, so maybe there is some negotiating room.
Notwithstanding today’s unanimity inside the youth center, opposing voices were heard too.
About 20 people demonstrated outside against fossil fuel and in favor of congestion pricing to reduce pollution.
The New York League of Conservation Voters also weighed in, calling New Jersey’s litigation a “desperate route,” adding that a plan to curtail traffic in Manhattan would have long-term health benefits.
And the group ridiculed Murphy’s status as an “environmental champion.”
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