FORT LEE, N.J. (1010 WINS) — New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez has introduced federal legislation to put the brakes on New York City's congestion pricing plan.
Standing on the George Washington Bridge's pedestrian walkway, the Democrat argued Monday that the tolling plan is a money grab to fund the MTA.
"It's a blatant attempt by New York and the MTA to make up for their budget shortfall by squeezing every dollar out of out of state residents," he said.
His bill, called the "Stop NJ Congestion Act," would slash federal highway dollars in New York in half, give New Jersey a seat at the table and grant the state veto power for any future congestion pricing proposal.
"This is a no-win for our state, and we're gonna turn that around," Menendez said.
Menendez said he has also written to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, expressing serious concerns about the environmental impact on New Jersey's communities close to the Hudson River Crossings.
The congestion pricing plan — the first of its kind in the United States — is expected to get final approval next month, Bloomberg reported. It will charge E-ZPass motorists driving south of 60th Street, the city's central business district, as much as $23.
Under the current timeline, the MTA estimates the program could begin as early as April 2024.
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