CORZINE STILL SILENT AS NEW YORK CONTINUES TO EXTORT NEW JERSEY COMMUTERS

NEW YORK TRANSIT AGENCY BALANCING ITS BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF NEW JERSEYANS WITH NARY A PEEP FROM GOVERNOR CORZINE

    After finally receiving a response to a letter objecting to a discriminatory toll policy by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Assemblymen Scott T. Rumana and David Russo called on Governor Corzine to explain why he didn't do anything to stop New York from gouging New Jersey drivers.

    "We have seen that the governor has shown no remorse when it comes to hitting his constituents with an endless barrage of toll hikes and tax increases, but you would think that he would at least voice an objection to another state's policy that unfairly attacks New Jerseyans," said Rumana, R-Passaic, Bergen and Essex, a member of the Assembly Transportation committee. "New York, which should consider itself a regional neighbor, has taken a hostile approach to New Jersey residents who work, dine and recreate in New York.

    "The Transportation Authority has no regret for its action and Governor Corzine has no concern," Rumana added.

    Since July, the MTA limited an E-ZPass discount to only those account holders who enrolled in New York, effectively discriminating against New Jersey E-ZPass users. This policy coincided with a 10 percent toll hike is three times as much for New Jersey E-Pass users because of the lost discount. Several Assembly Republican members wrote to the authority in July urging its board to reconsider the policy.

      A copy of the response that recently arrived is attached. It said: "The change was part of a series of difficult decisions, including eliminating positions, and other cutbacks, that were required to close a large MTA budget gap. ... Your constituents may obtain the discount by opening an E-ZPass account at the New York Customer Service Center."

      "That flippant response further aggravates an insulting toll increase," Russo said. "Governor Corzine's view of New Jerseyans as an endless pool for endless tax and toll increases has apparently crossed the New York border. He should demand that New York end this discriminatory policy, apologize for its treatment of New Jersey and act more like a neighbor than a hostile enemy."