NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The federal government has given New York the first greenlight for a congestion pricing plan that could provide billions of dollars to the MTA.
However, the plan is being met with concern from residents on the other side of the Hudson River.
New Jersey Congressmen Bill Pascrell and Josh Gottheimer held a press conference at the George Washington Bridge on Friday, slamming New York City’s congestion pricing plan for unfairly targeting New Jersey residents who commute to Manhattan for work.
“Once again North Jersey is getting stuck with the short end of the stick,” said Democrat Pascrell.
He says he wants the feds to hit the brakes on the plan and consider the effects congestion pricing could have.
“We need a real comprehensive environmental review on the impact for our stakeholders,” he said.
Gottheimer has even gone so far to propose an “Anti-Congestion Tax Act,” which he is calling the “Manhattan Moocher Prevention Act.”
“It will prohibit the Department Transportation from awarding any new capital grants to MTA projects in New York until drivers from all three New Jersey crossings into Manhattan receive exemptions from any congestion tax.”
Gottheimer says at the very least, taxpayers should get a tax credit for the congestion fees that they pay in Manhattan.
While New York has not been given the full go-ahead to implement congestion pricing, the Biden administration has allowed the state to proceed with the federally required Environmental Assessment and public outreach.
The Trump administration had stalled the project, pushing back its planned January 2021 start date.
The goal of congestion pricing, which was approved by lawmakers in Albany in 2019, is to raise $15 billion to help fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's five-year $51.5 billion capital plan while unclogging streets.
Stay informed, stay connected — follow WCBS 880 on Facebook and Twitter. Download the RADIO.COM app + favorite WCBS 880 for breaking news, traffic and weather alerts.