New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is speaking out against the New York City congestion pricing plan and believes that it violates the U.S. Constitution.
He announced that he is amending his lawsuit and had added New Jersey’s request to add the constitutional claims against the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Murphy adds that the fees violate the Constitution’s dormant commerce clause and unconstitutionally burdens the right to travel.
In a statement Murphy said, “The tolling scheme currently being pursued by the MTA fails to address our greatest concerns. Compounding the federal government’s failure to subject the MTA’s proposal to the full environmental review it warranted, it’s now clear that the MTA’s plans will also result in a scheme that unfairly tolls and discriminates against New Jerseyans, especially low-income New Jersey drivers. The federal government and the MTA can no longer be permitted to fast-track a proposal that solely benefits New York’s transportation system at the expense of hardworking New Jerseyans.”
Co-plaintiffs were also added to the lawsuit because non-New Yorkers will not be eligible for the CBD tax credit even if they are traveling from New Jersey to New York’s central business district.
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