New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has taken legal action against the Biden regime, filing a lawsuit against the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) over their approval of New York’s plan to reduce traffic congestion.
The plan, authorized by the FHWA in May, allows New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to charge increased fees to commuters entering Manhattan to alleviate congestion and improve air quality, Fox News reports.
Democrat Governor Phil Murphy was mercilessly booed at a concert this weekend.
Lead singer of the band "Brian Kirk and the Jerks" tried to mellow the crowd but the booing continued until Murphy left. pic.twitter.com/fu5qVscLrR
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) July 9, 2023
Governor Murphy accused the federal agencies of violating environmental laws and failing to conduct a full environmental review of the tolling program.
He argues that the plan will negatively impact vulnerable New Jersey communities, shifting pollution and traffic to the state. Additionally, Murphy claims that the plan contradicts President Biden’s environmental justice agenda and Justice40 initiative.
We are suing to block New York’s congestion tolling program. Here’s why. pic.twitter.com/VZ9lXIUMMn
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) July 21, 2023
Under the plan, commuters entering midtown or downtown Manhattan could face fees of up to $23 during peak hours and up to $12 during nighttime hours. The program is expected to generate approximately $1 billion in revenue for the state.
While New York officials view the plan as a significant climate victory, New Jersey lawmakers, including Sen. Bob Menendez and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, have strongly opposed it, criticizing the burden it places on New Jersey commuters and the potential increase in emissions in their state.
The lawsuit comes amid tensions between the two neighboring states over the congestion plan, with New Jersey lawmakers introducing legislation to strip federal funding from New York’s infrastructure projects unless they exempt New Jersey commuters from congestion pricing fees.
In addition to the lawsuit, Governor Murphy signed legislation allowing New Jersey to tax remote employees who work for New Jersey-based companies but live out of state. The move aims to capture revenue from remote workers and addresses the changing work landscape amid the pandemic.
