Rep. Mikie Sherrill, DN.J., called out New York as it prepares to introduce a controversial new congestion tax on commuters on Saturday.
The congestion pricing program takes effect Sunday, but Sherrill argues the tax is little more than an attempt to “fund [Metro Transportation Authority] on the backs of travelers from New Jersey.”
“This new tax will increase costs for New Jersey citizens, while also worsening traffic and increasing pollution in New Jersey as commuters go out of their way to find more affordable routes to New York,” Sherrill wrote.
“I refuse to sit by while New York uses New Jersey’s workforce as a meal ticket for the MTA,” she added. “I will continue to fight to move businesses to the Garden State, to expand office sharing sites and to make it easier for New Jerseyans to work remotely.”
FEDERAL JUDGE RULES ON NYC CONGESTION PRICES; INTERPRETATION DIFFERS BETWEEN THE SIDES
Sherrill is on a long list of Democratic candidates running for governor of New Jersey this year.
The congestion tax went into effect Sunday despite efforts by New Jersey officials, who filed a lawsuit seeking to block implementation on the grounds that New York did not do enough research on the environmental impacts.
NYPD ARRESTED IN DEATH STABBING OF ON-DUTY POSTAL WORKER
On Friday, Gordon ruled that there was no basis for delaying toll collection.
Traffic moves through midtown Manhattan on April 21, 2023 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber praised the ruling, noting the potential benefits of congestion pricing.
“We’ve been studying this issue for five years, but it only takes five minutes if you’re in midtown Manhattan to see that New York has a real traffic problem,” Lieber said at a news conference. “I acknowledge that there has been a lot of controversy surrounding this program and there are a lot of people who are concerned about the impact of congestion pricing. I want to tell them that the point is to make the city better for everyone.”
The Empire State Building and the Tourist District are seen on the way to New York City on August 17, 2022 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Eduardo MunozAlvarez/VIEWpress)
Congestion pricing is expected to generate billions in modernization revenue New York’s transit infrastructure, but has faced criticism from New Jersey officials and commuters who say it places an unfair burden on people coming from outside New York.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Some travelers could face daily fees of up to $22, which would include existing tolls for Port master crossings.
President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly said he plans to block the plan after he takes office later this month.
Fox News’ Landon Mion contributed to this report.
