Haines, Addiego, Rudder: Corzine Toll Hikes Will Make Economy Worse

            Senator Phil Haines, Assemblywoman Dawn Addiego and Assemblyman Scott Rudder said they are greatly concerned that the new toll hikes pushed through today by Governor Corzine and the Trenton Democrats will hurt the state’s fragile economy and force big trucks on to local roads.

            “In the last few days, people have seen their 401K’s drop to 201K’s. Now we’re going to put a driving tax on them?” asked Assemblyman Scott Rudder, a member of the Assembly Transportation Committee.

            “Taxpayers can not bear any more weight. The Trenton Democrats must start looking for ways to cut spending, and stop looking for new streams of revenue,” continued Assemblyman Rudder.             “Governor Corzine has touted the alleged economic benefits of raising tolls to build a trans-Hudson rail tunnel and widen highways. The truth is that we could get the same economic stimulus by funding the tunnel and other transportation projects without the job-killing toll increases the governor has championed,” said Senator Haines.             “It is unfair to hit residents in the southern part of the state with this ‘driving tax’ to pay for a $10 billion tunnel in Hudson County that even New York is refusing to chip in for,” said  Assemblyman Addiego. “The truckers of this state have provided fair warning that these toll hikes will increase the cost of nearly every product that consumers buy in New Jersey,” said Senator Haines. “They’ve also warned that local roads and other major highways will become congested because drivers simply won’t be able to afford trips on the Turnpike and Parkway.”             “New Jersey has become unaffordable for working families. Increasing tolls, combined with higher property taxes, decreasing municipal aid, and the current economic crisis, will break the backs of already-staggering taxpayers,” said Assemblyman Rudder. 

“We have asked to see studies that show revenue projections and other studies done to justify this toll increase. So far, we’ve received nothing. Perhaps that’s because, as news accounts have reported, the governor’s decision to raise tolls was done solely as a result of a public opinion poll designed to determine how best to get New Jerseyans to back a toll increase,” Assemblywoman Addiego said.”

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