Two weeks before midterm elections with control of the New Jersey Legislature at stake, an independent authority that answers to Gov. Phil Murphy voted to raise tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway by 3%.
Now, it’s up to Murphy to decide if he’ll block the toll hike. As governor, he has the statutory authority to veto the New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s minutes.
Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin called on Murphy to veto the section of the minutes that includes the toll increase.
“Investing in New Jersey’s vital transportation infrastructure is critical to our economic growth. But as New Jersey families have been struggling with the effects of inflation, we have focused tirelessly on easing their burdens and ensuring affordability,” the Democratic legislative leaders said in a joint statement. “Accordingly, we call on Governor Murphy to veto as much of the minutes as necessary to stop any toll hikes prior to the enactment of the Authority’s 2024 budget.”
Scutari and Coughlin are seeking to protect Democratic incumbents in close races as Republicans make a bid to pick up legislative seats in the November 7 election.
New toll revenues would fund a $2.62 billion budget, which passed unanimously.
Complicating matters for Murphy is the dual role of his new chief of staff, Diane Guttierez-Scaccetti. She has served as Commissioner of Transportation and chair of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority since 2018 and will remain in those posts through the end of this year.
The new toll structure, which is technically a budget item tied to a series of economic indexes, would go into effect on January 1, 2024.