Gottheimer testifies against MTA’s Congestion Tax during public hearing

NEW JERSEY – U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) testified during Monday’s public hearing to stand up against New York City and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) cash-grabbing Congestion Tax.

Gottheimer recently released a Congressional Report on New York’s proposed Congestion Tax finding that the MTA is estimated to generate $3.4 billion in a year from the Congestion Tax, well above the $1 billion objective required by New York’s State Legislature.

Last month, Gottheimer submitted a Freedom of Information Law or FOIL request to the MTA to provide any emails and documents containing the data, calculations, and discussions that went into their Congestion Tax revenue projections. The MTA has 24 days left to comply and respond.

“I join the overwhelming number of those opposed to the MTA’s outrageous Congestion Tax. Not only will it drain the pocketbooks of hardworking families, and disproportionately hurt lower-income families, but, by the MTA’s own admission, it will lead to more cancer-causing pollution and traffic in northern Jersey and in the outer boroughs,” said Gottheimer (NJ-5) in his testimony.

“And equally offensive, the MTA admits it’s nothing more of a cash grab to plug the gaping hole of their legendary mismanagement. After receiving more than $17 billion taxpayer dollars from the federal government since 2020 alone, the MTA is still losing $3 billion a year. They lost $700 million last year alone from fare skippers – and went a billion dollars over budget for a poorly designed subway station. The bottom line: The MTA and New York should clean up their own mess instead of sticking it to Jersey families,” Gottheimer said.

Members of the public can submit comments to the MTA opposing the Congestion Tax to make their voices heard before 11:59 p.m. on March 11, 2024. More information on testifying and submitting comments to the MTA can be found here.