There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch, but Christie Must Say No

by: Bill Orr

Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 06:30:42 PM EDT

The Port Authority of NY-NJ has just proposed exorbitant increases in crossing tolls and fares to take effect next month. Although Governor Christie shares the blame for these increases, he must use his authority to reduce them. In an email advisory, Tri-State Transportation Campaign explains,

"Governor Christie is relying on the Port Authority of NY-NJ to contribute $1.8 billion to pay for road and bridge projects that should be paid for by the state's bankrupt transportation capital program. The Governor canceled one of the country's most worthy transit projects, the ARC commuter rail tunnel, so he could redirect Port Authority's monies for that project to his state's transportation program."

It's great that our transportation fund will receive an infusion of $1.8 billion. It's not so great that this income will be funded by a base fare increase of $1 (57% fare increase!) on the PATH line and a toll increase of $4 for EZ Pass and a surcharge of $3 to increase the rate from $8 to $15 for those who pay cash. The plan has to be approved at an Aug. 19 Board meeting and is subject to a veto by either the NY or NJ governors.

As a result of this arrangement Christie does not have to increase our taxes, but we pay the Free lunch bill through higher fares and tolls. He may not be technically raising our taxes but the impact on our cost of living is the same as the money comes out of our pockets. With NJ Transit service cuts and a 22% fare increase in 2010 this maneuver is all too familiar, and particularly difficult for those with less income. Furthermore, playing this game of how to raise money for our transportation fund is neither a viable nor long term solution.

Both the fare and toll increases are too high. Senator Frank Lautenberg says, "This is an outrageous proposal by the Port Authority. It's yet another assault on New Jersey's commuters. These increases are disproportionately punitive to New Jersey residents and fundamentally unfair. Even toll increases half of this size would be unacceptable." Governor Christie should disallow these increases and insist that they be substantially reduced. Then the "free lunch" will have a fairer cost and reduce the burden on those who cannot afford it.

Bill Orr :: There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch, but Christie Must Say No

Tags: Port Authority of NY-NJ, NJ Transit, fares, tools, Chris Christie, Sen. Lautenberg, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, (All Tags)

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There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch, but Christie Must Say No | 3 comments

Governors "Tiptoe Through The Tulips" (0.00 / 0)

Governors Christie and Cuomo issued a coy joint statement, calling the increases exorbitant but not saying what they would do about the matter. According to the Star-Ledger, they stated: "While the Port Authority is facing financial issues, so are families in the states of New Jersey and New York. The answer cannot always be an indiscriminate and exorbitant increase in the cost to the taxpayer, or in this case, toll payer. As families must carefully and effectively manage their finances at this difficult time, so must government."

Presumably the more and the louder the protests become, the likelier that Christie might resist the increases.

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Sen. Ted Kennedy

by: Bill Orr @ Sat Aug 06, 2011 at 13:11:47 PM UTC

Timing is all (0.00 / 0)

Following protocol, PA NY-NJ issued its press release on a Friday afternoon assuring that the fewest possible people would learn about the increases. PA NY-NJ also cleverly awaited releasing this news until the last moment. To minimize the amount of protest, The PA Board, which routinely approves most proposals, will meet very soon - on August 19 - and the nine public hearings on the proposals will be held across both states, all on the same day - Aug. 16. The location for each hearing is at the end of the press release.

See the Star-Ledger article on June 7 "Gov. Christie dismisses report that toll increases on Hudson River crossings are being considered." Compare the above with yesterdays' Star-Ledger article which states, Christie and Cuomo had been briefed on the proposals months ago.

No word yet from Sen. Robert Menendez, whose home turf is Hudson County, land of PATH and near the Lincoln Tunnel. His website. Nor have I seen comments from any state legislators. Back to the first points: to disadvantage opposition, there is no substitute for issuing press releases on a Friday afternoon and providing little time for debate.

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Sen. Ted Kennedy

by: Bill Orr @ Sat Aug 06, 2011 at 14:06:39 PM UTC

2 things (0.00 / 0)

Christie doesn't have to worry about toll hikes - when he goes into NY, he uses the state helicopter. /snark.

On a more serious note, some commentors have said this is the same ole, same ole way hikes are negotiated. The PA puts out an outrageous demand and the govenors slash it in half.

The govs look good (supposedly) and we the people thank our lucky stars that we were only thrown under the bus, rather than in front of a NJ Transit train.

by: SmartyJones @ Sat Aug 06, 2011 at 14:44:37 PM UTC