NJ Spotlight News
Gottheimer: Cut funding if congestion pricing proceeds
Clip: 11/19/2024 | 4m 35sVideo has Closed Captions
Congressman wants to withhold federal funding for MTA
Gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5th), a longtime critic of congestion pricing, said he is fighting the plan on two fronts. He sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation, urging it to implement a 60-day review period to delay congestion pricing, and said he will press a bill in the House to withhold federal funds if the MTA doesn’t change its mind.
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NJ Spotlight News
Gottheimer: Cut funding if congestion pricing proceeds
Clip: 11/19/2024 | 4m 35sVideo has Closed Captions
Gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5th), a longtime critic of congestion pricing, said he is fighting the plan on two fronts. He sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation, urging it to implement a 60-day review period to delay congestion pricing, and said he will press a bill in the House to withhold federal funds if the MTA doesn’t change its mind.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipWell, the trolls are adding insult to injury for some commuters who are still coming to grips with the MTA's decision this week to greenlight congestion pricing, charging most drivers an extra nine bucks starting in January if they enter lower Manhattan.
The plan still needs final federal approval from the Biden administration.
But Congressman Josh Gottheimer, a staunch critic of the plan, isn't waiting.
As Ted Goldberg reports, Gottheimer is doubling down on his legal challenges.
We stop the congestion tax once.
We'll stop it again.
Game on.
Congressman Josh Gottheimer is continuing to criticize congestion pricing.
One day after the MTA approved a $9 toll on most drivers entering lower Manhattan starting in early January.
Gottheimer spoke next to the George Washington Bridge, which could see a lot more traffic from people trying to save a few bucks.
Not a nickel of this $2,300 a year.
We'll do anything for mass transit or families in new Jersey.
Nothing to help.
The health effects of the smog.
Cancer causing pollution going into Fort Lee.
The MTA has argued that the toll is needed to cut down on traffic and pay for improvements citywide.
This is a very exciting time.
There's very few opportunities that you have to pass a policy that will have such dramatic impacts on the climate and the environment that yesterday's four hour meeting.
The MTA approved congestion pricing to begin on January 5th.
Supporters say we should expect better subways and trains as a result.
A lot of the outer boroughs have a lot of infrastructure that is needed, such as like elevators and things.
I know they've been requesting an elevator for the three train.
On 1/45 Street and 1/35 Street for like ages and have gotten nothing.
Today I'm ready for change.
I'm ready to see new elevators to make our transit system more accessible to more New Yorkers.
Long due track and track improvements.
Signal modernization, new train cars, and a fleet of electric busses that will drive us into a better future.
On the other side of the Hudson, leaders aren't so enthused.
On a Saturday, you're a Sunday.
You can't go through my town without spending at least an hour.
And we're only two and a half miles long.
Fort Lee mayor Mark sock has condemned congestion pricing, saying the world's busiest bridge will get even busier with an additional 20 to 25% traffic, which is what's projected through congestion pricing.
We are going to be at a complete standstill.
Our ambulances aren't going to get to where they need to be.
Our police aren't going to get to where they need to go.
Families in New York and here in Jersey are continuing to be squeezed by higher costs.
The MTA announced their plans to go full steam ahead with the congestion tax.
I guess New York suddenly stopped caring about those budgets.
They were breaking up nurses and restaurant workers and taxi drivers and police officers like those behind me.
Gottheimer has been officially running for governor since Friday and has criticized congestion pricing for far longer.
He's trying to stop New York's plan on two fronts.
He's co-sponsored a bill in Congress that would withhold federal dollars from the MTA if congestion pricing goes forward.
And he's written a letter to the Department of Transportation asking them to step in.
The Department of Transportation should not rush a plan of this magnitude through, without any feedback from people on how this new tax will actually affect them and communities in the Tri-State area.
With all the smog, the congestion tax will cause and all the changes that will have on traffic patterns.
We must and we will know the full impact of New York's new plan.
Gottheimer says new York's new plan, which charges $9 instead of the original 15, is so different that it warrants a 60 day review period to delay things.
A 17% reduction of cars going into south of 60th Street by their proposal.
They've now changed that to, I believe, 10%.
So in other words, that is a material change.
They say it's going to be, I believe, a 10% reduction now is what they're saying.
That is a 17 to 10% is a seismic material change.
Gottheimer says if the federal government can't stop congestion pricing, then he'll step in if he's elected governor, which would open several cans of worms.
And further complicate things for New Jerseyans trying to commute and travel into the city.
In Fort Lee, I'm Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.
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