Gottheimer speaks at MTA New Jersey public meeting to fight back against unreasonable NYC congestion tax
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) Friday spoke at the MTA Central Business District Tolling Program (CBDTP) New Jersey Public Meeting to denounce the proposed Manhattan Congestion Tax and fight for hardworking New Jersey commuters. If adopted, New Jersey commuters would not only need to pay a bridge or tunnel toll, but would also incur an additional toll if they drive south of 60th street in Manhattan.
“Levying a new regressive tax on Jersey commuters, who already pay a fortune to get into the city, and millions in New York state taxes, plus all of the resources here in Washington that we sent to New York city during the COVID crisis. Instead, this is an attempt to mooch off of New Jersey,” Gottheimer said. “I strongly urge you to withdraw this proposal and work with us toward a better solution for everyone.”
Gottheimer reiterated that the Congestion Tax is merely an attempt by New York to mooch off New Jersey residents who would need to pay double in taxes, while reaping none of the benefits for the NJ government nor the NJ Transit system. MTA Chief Financial Officer Bob Foran recently said during a June 2021 board meeting that the MTA does not need congestion pricing revenue right now.
To help protect New Jersey commuters, Gottheimer also introduced the Anti-Congestion Tax Act along with Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-2) earlier this year.
The Anti-Congestion Tax Act takes two key actions:
- It will prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from awarding any new Capital Investment Grants to MTA projects in New York until drivers from the New Jersey crossings into Manhattan receive exemptions from this new congestion tax.
- It will amend the Internal Revenue Code to offer drivers a federal tax credit at the end of the year equal to the amount paid in congestion taxes entering Manhattan from any of the three New Jersey crossings. This will protect Jersey drivers from double taxation.
