Gottheimer rallies with labor unions against $23/day congestion tax threatening their jobs, port authority infrastructure

NEW JERSEY — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer Tuesday rallied with labor unions and Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (NY-4) against New York’s and the MTA’s new $23-a-day — $5,000-a-year — cash-grabbing congestion tax.

New Jersey and New York’s hardworking men and women of labor protect our critical infrastructure and region, help build the Tri-State area, and keep it moving every day. They make sure our trains, buses, bridges, tunnels, airports, rails, ports, and bus terminals are always operating safely and smoothly.

New York and the MTA’s new Congestion Tax will put an immense financial burden on labor who have no choice but to drive to work. Many won’t be able to afford the Congestion Tax, which could result in labor shortages and put public safety at risk.

Furthermore, according to the MTA’s own projections, if what they say is true and 20% of drivers stop coming to the Congestion Zone, the Congestion tax will leave a billion-dollar hole in lost revenue over the next decade at the Port Authority for their capital projects — meaning fewer jobs for hardworking men and women of labor and fewer infrastructure improvements here in Jersey.

Port Authority Capital Projects that could be impacted by the MTA’s Congestion Tax include: 

• Renovating GWB to fix suspension cables.
• Replacing the Lincoln Tunnel helix.
• Upgrading the PATH train.
• Repairs to Newark, La Guardia, and JFK airports.
• Renovating the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

“Our men and women of labor often have no choice but to drive to work – they have to get in early or late to make a shift, or their job requires a vehicle. Yet, the MTA’s answer to the problems they created is to take a 2×4 to the hardworking men and women of labor. Many of them won’t be able to afford this new tax, so they may have to leave their jobs. Others won’t apply – and you’re talking about jobs that are already experiencing massive shortages,” Gottheimer said. “Despite knowing all of this, New York has the nerve to slap our police and labor, the transit workers, the CWA, the building trades, across the face with a $23-dollar-a-day — $5,000 a year — Congestion Tax. New York is willing to risk losing these essential workers so they can bail out their mismanaged MTA!”

“Governor Hochul’s congestion pricing plan is just another thinly veiled tax on an already overtaxed middle class. For too long, tristate area commuters have been forced into being the ATM for the MTA and have seen no tangible benefits.  The opposition to this newly proposed fee on commuters entering lower Manhattan comes from across the board, and I will continue working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Hudson, like my friend Congressman Josh Gottheimer, to reject this plan by Governor Hochul,” D’Esposito said.

“I’m the president of the Port Authority Sergeants Benevolent Association. I’m also the chair of a coalition representing all of New York and New Jersey’s Port Authority workers whose leaders are here today and joining us. Along with Congressman Gottheimer and Congressman D’Esposito, we stand here today to call for an exemption from the MTA’s reckless and misguided congestion pricing plan for our workforce. Put simply, the MTA’s financial struggles should not be solved on the backs of the essential workers who continue to get squeezed as a result of the MTA’s mismanagement,” said Port Authority Sergeants Benevolent Association President Rob Zafonte. “What about the financial harm that will be inflicted on the essential Port Authority workers whose pockets will be picked every time they commute in and out of the congestion pricing zone?”

“I proudly stand here today with the other union leaders and other labor groups from the Port Authority. We’re not happy with this price planning as well. I’m concerned about my workers that have to come through Manhattan from Long Island and North Jersey over the George Washington Bridge and the Lincoln Tunnel, respectively, to get whacked by this $23/day. They have to drive to their workplace when public transportation is not available,” said Transport Workers Union Local 1400 President Patrick Reynolds.

“The Port Authority PBA is extremely appreciative of Congressman Gottheimer’s and Congressman D’Esposito’s efforts to acknowledge  the additional financial burden  that the MTA’s congestion pricing will place on essential workers and all commuters who have no choice but to travel into Manhattan to perform their daily duties,” said Port Authority Police Benevolent Association President Frank Conti.

“On behalf of the CWA Local 1032 Branch 8 of the Port Authority we stand in solidarity with our fellow unions, laborers, and Congressman Gottheimer to exempt the hardworking Port Authority employees from the MTA congestion increase set to take place next year. The CWA members are the backbone of the agency. Without the essential administrative support the Port Authority would not be able to function. Putting this additional expense on employees traveling to support the agency and all of its essential employees is another hardship our membership will not be able to financially recover,” said Communications Workers of America Local 1032 President Jacquelyn Wells and Vice President Gabrielle Herrera.

“We are so honored that the Congressman comes here daily. This guy is at every town hall event, he’s at every parade, and when we thought that wasn’t enough, he put a satellite office in borough hall. This is a man that does not stop fighting for Fort Lee, Bergen County, and the entire state of New Jersey. I think that is evident by all of the support behind him,” said Fort Lee Councilman Bryan Drumgoole.

Gottheimer was joined in Fort Lee by Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (NY-4), NJ Assemblywoman Shama Haider, Fort Lee Councilman Bryan Drumgoole, Park Ridge Mayor Keith Misciagna of IBEW 164, Port Authority Sergeants Benevolent Association President Rob Zafonte, Transport Workers Union Local 1400 President Patrick Reynolds, Transport Workers Union Local 229 President Steve Hamm, Port Authority Police Lieutenants Benevolent Association President Jimmy Griglio, Port Authority Police Benevolent Association President Frank Conti, Communications Workers of America Local 1032 Vice President Gabrielle Herrera, Field Maintenance Supervisors, and New Jersey men and women of labor