New plan: Just two highway toll hikes

Jersey Journal
Wednesday, October 08, 2008

TRENTON - Under a revised plan unveiled yesterday, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority has scaled back its plan to raise highway tolls.

Tolls on the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway would increase this year and again in 2012, not three times as previously proposed.

Drivers on the Turnpike would see tolls rise 50 cents per trip this year, to an average of $1.70, and by 90 cents in 2012. Parkway drivers would see an average increase of 15 cents this year and 25 cents four years later. Ramp tolls would increase by 10 cents this year and 5 cents in 2012.

The revenue, about $8.25 billion, would be used to widen the Turnpike and Parkway and partially fund a new rail tunnel into New York City.

The Turnpike Authority can raise tolls, but Gov. Jon Corzine has veto power. The Governor's Office said the plan would be reviewed.

The governor recently said he would reject a more extensive toll increase proposal unveiled last month and instructed the authority to come up with a more modest plan. The revised plan trims transportation projects to $7 billion, from $9.7 billion, but leaves intact a $1.25 billion contribution to the rail tunnel project. Republicans are trying to block funding of the tunnel with toll revenues.

The Corzine administration shelved a more sweeping toll hike plan that would have raised tolls 800 percent to fund transportation improvements and pay down half the state's crushing debt. The governor was forced to abandon that proposal after it failed to gain public or legislative support.

The public can comment on the revised plan during a hearing at 9 a.m. Friday at the Turnpike Authority headquarters in Woodbridge.

Corzine plan in jeopardy

By DAVID LEVINSKY
Burlington County Times
2/10/08

TRENTON - Gov. John Corzine garnered chuckles and smiles last month when he declared during his State of the State address that "pigs will fly over the Statehouse" before enough spending cuts were found to solve New Jersey's fiscal crisis.

Now, a month later, it's the governor's own plan to use toll hikes to pay down debt and fund transportation projects that appears to be in danger of never getting off the ground.

Despite a month of lobbying and hosting Town Hall meetings, Corzine has failed to sway both the public and legislators he needs to pass his plan.

Just last week, all 49 Republican legislators promised to vote against his proposal. They were joined by state Sen. John Adler, D-6th of Cherry Hill. Democrats control the Senate 23-17 and the Assembly 48-32.

The public is also highly skeptical.

According to the latest statewide polls, 56 percent of residents oppose Corzine's plan compared to just 15 percent who support it.

What's the alternative? More and more the talk has turned to the so-called "flying pigs" scenario: spending cuts.

"Any business or household with a revenue problem knows that the first thing to do is cut back on the spending, yet the state of New Jersey's solution is to increase taxes. That kind of thinking has got to stop," Assemblyman Scott Rudder, R-8th of Medford, said Thursday after signing a pledge to oppose any legislation with toll hikes.

Rudder's Assembly colleague, Dawn Marie Addiego, R-8th of Evesham, and state Sen. Phil Haines, R-8th of Springfield, also have released statements opposing the Corzine plan.

Rudder, who was sworn in as a freshman assemblyman on the same day Corzine unveiled his plan, said he is working to craft legislation that would mandate state budget cuts and then cap future spending to the rate of inflation.

"We need to look at cuts first and then go from there. The budget has gone up some $11 billion over the last six years. You can't tell me you can't find at least $3 to $4 billion that can be eliminated."

Adler, who is running this year for the 3rd District Congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Jim Saxton, also said the state needs to explore spending cuts.

"The governor issued a challenge to the Legislature and to the people of New Jersey to come up with our own plan to alleviate the state's financial crisis - and that's what I intend to do," Adler said in a press statement. "I agree with the governor's proposal to freeze state spending. But I believe we need to go further and cut spending in state government."

Two of Adler's possible Republican opponents, Medford Mayor Chris Myers and former Tabernacle Township Committeeman Justin Murphy, have also come out against the governor.

Corzine has argued that mandatory increases in salary, pension and debt payments will require him to cut between $2 billion and $2.5 billion from the coming year's budget just to keep spending flat.

He said legislators would have to cut $4.5 billion to 5 billion annually in order to reduce debt and fund needed transportation projects. Such cuts would amount to between 13 and 15 percent of the state's budget, amounts Corzine feels is unrealistic.

Two academic experts from Rutgers University agree with the governor and say that spending cuts alone are not a realistic solution.

"Just holding the budget the way it is will result in significant cuts in programs," said Prof. John Weingart, associate director of the Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics in New Brunswick. "To cut it so dramatically in order to substitute what the governor is proposing, I can't believe that's possible."

"You'd wind up destroying K-12 education, higher education or environmental services," added Marc Holzer, dean of the school of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers-Newark. "There wouldn't be a reduction in services, you'd have to amputate services altogether."

Like the governor, Holzer believes the solution to New Jersey's financial troubles needs to come from new or increased revenue sources.

Corzine's solution calls for the creation of an independent nonprofit agency that would borrow money based on future toll hikes on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway.

The plan has garnered the support of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce as well as several transportation officials, among them James Weinstein, former Department of Transportation Commissioner in the Whitman administration.

U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews, D-1st of Haddon Heights, and Rep. Rush Holt, D-12th of West Windsor, have also endorsed the proposal.

Holzer wasn't sure the toll hikes were the best possible solution. He suggested exploring an increase in the state gasoline tax, which he said could be offset or blunted by legalizing self-serve gasoline.

"For the life of me, I don't know why self-serve gasoline is so sanctified in New Jersey," he said. Corzine has said he favors toll hikes over an increase in the gasoline tax because roughly 50 percent of tollpayers are out-of-state residents.

He has also warned that an increase in the federal gasoline tax may be looming.

Opponents of the toll hikes have countered that they would unfairly hurt state residents who drive the toll roads or live near them.

In response, state Department of Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri has promised that future transportation spending would be concentrated in counties along the toll roads.

A new capital improvement plan the Department of Transportation is developing calls for New Jersey to spend close to $42 billion over the next 10 years on transportation projects if the governor's plan is approved.

Burlington County is slated to receive $1.3 billion worth of those improvements, Kolluri said in an interview. By comparison, he said revenue forecasts anticipate Burlington County motorists would contribute roughly $289 million in tolls over the same time period, or approximately 2 percent of the expected toll revenue.

"No one is saying the toll hikes aren't a hardship, but that's still a pretty healthy return," Kolluri said. Both the governor and his opponents agree that something must be done, but finding
a solution all sides can agree upon could prove difficult.

Assemblyman Jack Conners, D-7th of Pennsauken, said as much Friday while discussing what he predicted would be painful budget cuts in the coming year

"You hear everyone saying cut the budget, but I'd like you to give me the names and departments of the people working in state government who should lose their jobs," Conners said. "That may need to be the direction we go, and I'm ready to look at it, but we also need to be careful."

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Trenton UFO sighting: Unidentified flying outrage - Opponents of Corzine's attempt to boost tolls fly pigs

Saturday, February 09, 2008

TRENTON - Pigs didn't fly over the New Jersey Statehouse, but inflatable swine floated around it as another leading Democrat questioned Gov. Jon S. Corzine's plan to increase highway tolls.

Opponents of Corzine's attempt to boost tolls to pay state debt and fund transportation projects rallied outside the Statehouse yesterday and released more than 100 pig balloons.

The pig theme is a reference to Corzine's Jan. 8 comment that "pigs will fly over the Statehouse before there's a realistic level of new taxes or spending cuts that can fix this mess."

Later, a leading Democratic senator called on Corzine to focus on spending cuts and controls rather than toll increases.

"His solution is too severe," said Senate Budget Chairwoman Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex. "It's too much for people to bear. There has to be a plausible alternative."

Corzine wants to form a new state agency to manage state toll roads and issue bonds to generate about $38 billion that would be used to halve state debt and fund transportation work.

To pay back the bonds, Corzine wants to increase tolls 50 percent in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Those increases would include inflation adjustments and, after 2022, tolls would increase every four years until 2085 to reflect inflation.

The Atlantic City Expressway, Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike and Route 440 would be affected.

Buono credited the governor with trying to tackle fiscal woes, but said, "I can't embrace the plan as is."

The rally by The Flying Pigs Coalition was promoted by New Jersey 101.5 FM radio. State Police Capt. Al Della Fave said some 700 to 800 people attended. Several wore pig costumes

"Oink, oink," the crowd chanted at times.

Opponents want large spending cuts instead of toll increases.

"If you can't do it, we'll show leadership," Sen. Joseph Pennacchio, R-Morris, said, speaking directly to Corzine, who didn't appear at the rally. "We'll cut the budget for you."

Corzine said those cuts will come when he freezes spending in the budget he's set to introduce on Feb. 26. Keeping spending at the same level as this fiscal year, he has said, will mean $2.5 billion in budget cuts.

"We're going to have very harsh cuts," Corzine said yesterday on WCTC 1450 AM radio.

Alternatives would involve income, sales and gas tax increases, he said. With toll increases, out-of-state motorists help bear the burden, he said.

"I'm listening," Corzine said. "I'm flexible about how we solve the problem. I'm not flexible, though, in saying we have a problem. The problem we have fundamentally in this state is we've never lived up to our responsibilities."

All 49 legislative Republicans on Thursday announced opposition to the bill, along with Democratic Sen. John Adler, D-Camden. Democrats control the Senate 23-17 and the Assembly 48-32.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg also came out against Corzine's plan.

"You are seeing, in my opinion, evidence of one of the monumental screw-ups of judgment in New Jersey political history," said Assemblyman Richard Merkt, R-Morris.

The plan was never expected to pass as introduced, but Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr., R-Union, told the crowd: "This plan is failing, but it's not dead yet."

NJ Chamber of Commerce endorses Corzine's toll plan

by Deborah Howlett/The Star-Ledger Tuesday January 29, 2008, 3:27 PM

Gov. Jon Corzine's plan to revamp state finances and pay down state debt with higher tolls won a thumbs-up today from the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber, which holds its annual train trip to Washington on Thursday, endorsed the plan at a news conference in the governor's outer office at the Statehouse. Corzine says he can raise up to $38 billion from a long-term commitment to raise tolls. He would use the money to pay down half the state's debt and fund transportation and open space projects for decades.

Leaders of the business group said they liked Corzine's plan, stressing his efforts to limit future state spending and borrowing.

"The Governor's plan is the best option available on the table to us to fix the state's fiscal problems," said Hazel Gluck, chamber executive committee member. "It is time for us to move forward and get to the business of growing the economy. The governor's plan will help us to achieve the goal of making New Jersey a pro-investment state."

Critics of Corzine's plan have contended it is a new set of borrowing and would not do enough to curtail future spending or borrowing. Chamber president Joan Verplanck said the business group's decision came after "much thought - and spirited debate." She said the endorsement is not "a rubber stamp of all that has been proposed to date."

Corzine stressed his plan is needed to make sure New Jersey's transportation network does not deteriorate.

"As a corridor state, our transportation infrastructure is the linchpin of our economy. Without that, businesses big and small cannot begin to grow or thrive in our state," he said.

Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-Morris), a critic of the plan, issued a statement accusing the Chamber of "trying to curry favor" with Corzine.

To measure the toll plan's impact on your commute, see The Star-Ledger's toll calculator - covering every exit on the Turnpike and Parkway - at New Jersey by the Numbers.

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They say this as though its a bad thing.

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Mass transit is able to accommodate far more passengers than roadways can cars. While expanding services for increased passengers requires investment in the system, its a long over due investment. The state can either make the investment in roadway expansions, or can expand mass transit services, but either way, the investment is needed.

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Its about time the state stopped subsidizing suburban sprawl. Housing is more expensive near business centers; cheap roads means the cost for living in far off, rural suburbs remains less expensive. Encouraging growth in centralized urban centers reduces the need for expanding highways.



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I don't suppose they bothered to ask why 80% of AC visitors come by car. Try taking a train from New York-- you have to transfer in Trenton and then again in Philly bringing the grand total to something like $30 from New York, and nearly 4 hours travel time. Perhaps its time for a high speed rail connection between the city that never sleeps and the city that's always turned on.

The state has plenty of money....they need to start acting like a private company that is about to go bankrupt. Start biting the bullet and bring in their costs. After that they can start again new.

There are so many things wrong with this plan. Starting another quasi government agency similar to the Turnpike authority is a terrible idea. I can't wait to read in the Asbury Park Press or Star Ledger about how the new employees in this agency will be making 6 figures with OT being a payroll supervisor or some garbage position like that.

Too bad Corzine didn't bring this up before the elections this past November. I have a feeling all those Dems would not of been elected to the state's senate and assembly.

The money should come from a higher gas tax and maybe even a higher income tax -- not by jamming small local roads with cars and trucks and making only a small percentage of people carry the burden -- what really needs to happen is a vast consolidation of all the hundreds and hundreds of the little municipalities in New Jersey.

Sounds like a great plan-- toll roads will have a lot less traffic on them and will make commuting that much easier.

Toll road plan to burden traffic on free highways, local roads

By ELLEN STEINBERG
February 7, 2008
Asbury Park Press

With the focus from the governor's asset monetization plan on enormous toll hikes and the disproportionate burden on those who live and commute along the toll roads, the effect on our local road system was all but ignored. That is, until the governor finally released the so-called "secret study" by Steer Davies Gleave.

This $880,000 study revealed a very serious problem with the asset monetization plan, specifically the diversion of traffic from toll roads to non-toll roads. According to the study, within the next six years, almost a quarter of a million vehicles a day will leave the toll roads for local roads and non-tolled highways such as Routes 78, 287, 80, 1 and 130.

The study forecasts that traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway will decline by about 8 to 10 percent from current levels each time a 50 percent toll increase occurs. This translates to about 120,000 vehicles a day in 2010 and 240,000 vehicles a day in 2014, and substantially more in 2018 and 2022. Traffic usage on major roads is not predicted to return to current levels until 2046.

These projected declines are not wholly unexpected. When tolls were raised by about 70 percent between 1987 and 1991, it resulted in a similar decrease of traffic.

This raises the question as to where this traffic is going to go. State Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri has expressed the hope that drivers would all go to mass transit. Mass transit cannot absorb another quarter of a million riders a day. Our trains are already overcrowded. And, unless you live and work near a station or bus route, mass transit is not going to get you to your destination.

Most of the 240,000 vehicles are going to meander off the toll roads onto local streets or the already congested non-tolled highways such as Routes 130, 1 and 287. In one of the governor's town hall meetings, he referred to the current "chokepoints" on Routes 287 and 80. One can only imagine what these "chokepoints" will be like with the extra traffic.

The Corzine administration has confessed it has done no impact studies on the effect of so much increased traffic in our local communities. Increased congestion also raises concerns about repairs and maintenance on our local roads and highways as well as environmental and safety issues.

And what about the economic impact? For example, the study projected a decline in traffic along the Atlantic City Expressway of 20 percent by 2014. Eighty percent of visitors to Atlantic City go by car. Unless they now decide to go by the side roads, this could have a staggering impact on the casino industry in Atlantic City, resulting in reduced tourism and jobs.

The governor's plan locks us in for 75 years. We cannot reverse it if local traffic proves too much, for the toll increases are automatic. Since the new public benefit corporation is independent of the Legislature, it is not subject to control by the electorate.

This is a Wall Street plan we should not be rushing into. The proposed impact on our communities must be studied before we "do the deal." Otherwise, we may find out the hard way and, in the process, destroy our local communities, our transportation system and the economic viability of New Jersey.

Ellen Steinberg, a Millburn Township Committeewoman, is a member of Save Our Assets, a citizens' group that opposes Gov. Corzine's toll hike plan.

Newsday Toll Increases Story

Newsday.com

Industry, labor eye Corzine toll plan as economic boost
By TOM HESTER Jr.

Associated Press Writer

5:11 PM EST, January 29, 2008

TRENTON, N.J.

Legislators may not be on board, but New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine is having little trouble convincing industry and labor unions to back his plan to increase tolls on some of the nation's busiest highways to pay state debt and fund transportation.

"We view this as also an economic stimulus package," said Robert Briant Jr., CEO of the Utility Transportation Contractors Association, which represents 1,200 firms. "This is going to create jobs, good jobs."

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday became the latest to endorse Corzine's plan, but critics said supporters are missing the point.

"As usual, the politically well-connected special interests in Trenton stand to make out extremely well under Corzine's plan at the expense of the average New Jersey resident," said Assemblyman Richard Merkt, R-Morris.

The Democratic governor wants to pay off at least half of $32 billion in state debt and fund transportation for 75 years.

To do so, he wants to increase tolls 50 percent in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Those increases would include inflation adjustments and, after 2022, tolls would increase every four years until 2085 to reflect inflation.

The Atlantic City Expressway, Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike and Route 440 would be affected.

He also wants to limit state spending and require voters approve state borrowing.

But while legislators hesitate to back the plan and polls show about 60 percent of voters oppose toll increases, industry and labor unions emphasize how the state transportation funding will dry up in 2011.

They're also eying massive proposed construction projects such as a new Hudson River rail tunnel and widening the turnpike and parkway.

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce touted tha plan as the best way to tackle state financial problems and improve transportation.

"It's time to forge ahead with the best plan on the table to get us out of the deep hole we're in," said William J. Marino, the chamber chairman.

Joseph McNamara of the Laborers International Union said they understand concern about increased tolls, but said the state cannot promote economic development without investing in transportation.

"If we can move people more efficiently through this state, we will keep business," he said.

William T. Mullen, president of the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council, which represents more than 100 unions and 150,000 workers, said the state must do something to resolve financial woes or "it will just dry up and die and there will be no jobs for anybody."

Briant cited U.S. Department of Transportation statistics that indicate each $1 billion spent on new construction creates 47,000 jobs in the construction and supply industries.

"As a corridor state, our transportation infrastructure is the linchpin of our economy," Corzine said. "Without that, businesses big and small cannot begin to grow or thrive in our state."

Corzine wants lawmakers to approve the plan by mid-March.

Legislators have vowed to change it, though no agreement has been reached.

Republicans bashed the Chamber's endorsement.

"Jon Corzine can get as many Trenton-insiders on board with his plan as he wants," said Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce, R-Morris. "Ultimately he will have to answer to the taxpayers of this state who have had enough."

Corzine plans to freeze spending in the upcoming state budget. The Chamber, in announcing its support, suggested saving money by cutting property tax rebates that were expanded last year to $1,051 per homeowner, up about $700. Corzine didn't directly answer whether that is an option, but indicated people won't be pleased with what's proposed.

"We will have to do those things that leave us with spending no higher than it is this year," Corzine said. "And while we hear much complaint about the pain that is associated with this particular overall plan, I think the focus will very quickly shift from toll hikes in 2022 to budget cuts in 2009."

New Jersey's has the nation's highest property taxes.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

New Legislation Clarifies Toll Road Plan

By Scott Goldstein
2/5/2008

The new agency that would run the state's three toll roads under Gov. Jon Corzine's controversial plan would hire vendors?such as road construction companies?using competitive bidding requirements, according to a bill released late yesterday afternoon. The much-anticipated piece of legislation details Corzine's plan and is available on the governor's Web site (www.state.nj.us/governor/).

The new agency?a public benefit corporation?would be required to follow federal corporate governance laws, according to the legislation.


Corzine's plan, which requires approval from the Legislature, relies on sharp toll hikes to repay a proposed $38 billion bond issued by the new agency. The lump sum of money raised from the bond would fund transit projects and immediately retire half the state's debt.


The public benefit corporation would manage the toll roads, issue the bonds and re-pay investors with toll revenue over the next 75 years. For motorists, tolls would rise 50 percent?plus inflation?every four years between 2010 and 2022, followed by inflationary increases every four years until about 2085. A new toll would be placed on a small section of Route 440.


The New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which currently controls the Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, would be renamed the New Jersey Capital Solutions Corp., and would serve as a watchdog agency. The Atlantic City Expressway would be transferred from the South Jersey Transportation Authority to the Capitol Solutions Corp.


Reports sent to the capital solution corporation from the public benefits corporation would be subject to open public records laws, the legislation says.


The public benefit corporation's agreement to operate the toll roads would be no longer than 75 years, although an additional 24-year term could be added, the legislation said. That precise language of that agreement has not yet been revealed.


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NJBIZ, Copyright ? 2008, All Rights Reserved.

Bayonne can demand whatever it wants, but without a strong legislative voice in Trenton, it won't be getting anything. Too bad voters have made such poor choices in recent years.

Toll hikes? Bayonne wants share

Tuesday, February 05, 2008
By RONALD LEIR
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

If Gov. Jon Corzine's plan to raise New Jersey Turnpike tolls is adopted, Bayonne plans to demand that the state tap those revenues to pay for transportation improvements the city says are desperately needed for commuter sanity. And, just as importantly, for its very survival.

"The Bayonne Turnpike 14A Interchange hasn't been expanded since its construction in the 1950s and is woefully inadequate for its present traffic capacity, and it's a chokepoint for four future economic growth," declared Michael O'Connor, executive director of the Bayonne Economic Development Corp.

Bayonne Chamber of Commerce President Matt Dorans and BEDC Chairman H. Mickey McCabe agreed that the traffic crush getting in and out of Bayonne is an enormous hardship for residents and commuters.

"The current Turnpike interchange can't handle the volume," Dorans said. "For a local businessman, like myself, it definitely has an impact. Time is money. You end up with lost production waiting for deliveries and having to pay for escalating fuel costs. I end up having to schedule my trucks before or after rush hour."

Between 6:30 and 9:30 a.m., McCabe said, "you're virtually guaranteed to be caught in a traffic jam on the Turnpike bridge heading into Bayonne. And leaving Bayonne between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m., it's equally bad. Then, on weekends, if they're doing repairs on the bridge, you're virtually land-locked."

Bayonne Mayor Terrence Malloy also wants "a significant commuter discount for people . who use EZPass," said Joseph Ryan, his spokesman.

O'Connor said the Corzine asset monetization plan carries the potential for funding long-term transportation infrastructure around the state "and we expect to be lobbying to get Bayonne in the front of that line to get money to rebuild that interchange, expand Route 440 and the Turnpike Casciano Bridge extension, and resolve that bottleneck."

The bill for those projects would likely total in the many millions of dollars - O'Connor said he was unaware of any cost studies by the state - and it's unclear how much Bayonne could expect to get.

The state Department of Transportation has projected a 10-year funding scenario, based on the Corzine plan, that would parlay a contribution of $730 million in toll revenues from Hudson County drivers into a state investment of $3.6 billion in Hudson transportation capital improvements, including "operational improvements" to Route 440, according to DOT spokeswoman Erin Phalon.

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What are the old people doing on the toll roads?

Letters to the New York Times

A Toll Increase in New Jersey? Residents Weigh In

Published: January 24, 2008

To the Editor:

While Gov. Jon S. Corzine is to be commended for trying to solve the very serious problem of New Jersey?s crippling indebtedness, his proposed solution of taxing only Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike drivers is undemocratic, unnecessarily punitive and strange. His choice to skip the obvious step of raising the state?s unusually low gas tax is inexplicable.

The beauty of the gas tax is that it is equitably distributed based on an exact mathematical formula of passenger miles driven per vehicle divided by that specific vehicle?s mileage per gallon of gas. An added benefit of an increased gas tax is that it would also encourage the use of more fuel-efficient vehicles statewide and resultantly contribute to less fuel emissions into the environment.

Most citizens support a democratic rise in the gas tax as a more fair alternative to Governor Corzine?s peculiar idea of maintaining a few toll roads that are the equivalent of a ?penalty box.?

Glen Handler
Verona, N.J., Jan. 21, 2008

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To the Editor:

Gov. Jon S. Corzine?s plan to solve New Jersey?s budget problems by raising tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway is ill considered as well as unfair. If the cost of driving most of the Turnpike were to eventually rise from $5.85 to $48, drivers would avoid the road like the plague; cars, trucks and semis would clog and pollute alternate roads, most of which are congested already.

Needless to say, the cost of maintenance on the non-toll roads would rise dramatically. Or does the governor propose turning all New Jersey highways into toll roads?

There is no easy answer to New Jersey?s budget woes, but it is clearly unfair to attempt to do it all on the backs of drivers, particularly commuters, senior citizens and truckers, who use the toll roads. Since New Jersey?s gasoline tax is lower than in many other states, raising that tax might be the way to go.

The casinos in Atlantic City could probably contribute more to the state if the governor has the stomach to fight the lobbyists. Even increasing the state income tax, though painful, would be a more fair and sensible solution.

Myrna A. Gottlieb
East Brunswick, N.J., Jan. 19, 2008

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To the Editor:

While I agree for the most part with your editorial regarding toll increases on the New Jersey Turnpike, I would add a provision providing relief for vehicles that produce no harmful emissions. By the time the toll increases are due to take effect, at least three non-gasoline automobiles are scheduled to be available to the public.

One is the Honda Clarity, which will run on hydrogen. The other two, the Tesla and the Chevrolet Volt, are both electric. Others are in the works. Perhaps they could be charged a lower toll in order to encourage the purchase of cars that not only run cleanly, but also would reduce our importation of petroleum.

David Zinkin
Princeton, N.J., Jan. 19, 2008

Steve Lonegan arrested protesting Corzine's toll increase.


Wednesday, January 23, 2008

BY DEBORAH HOWLETT AND JOSH MARGOLIN

Star-Ledger Staff

Gov. Jon Corzine insisted yesterday his office had nothing to do with the arrest of conservative activist Steve Lonegan at a town hall meeting in Cape May County, even though the mayor of Middle Township said local police acted at the direction of the governor's staff.

"All I know is they were doing what they were told to do," Mayor F. Nathan Doughty, a Democrat, said. Asked who had told them what to do, he said, "The governor's people."

Corzine was adamant in rejecting Doughty's claim about Saturday's arrest at Middle Township High School. Lonegan was arrested moments before the start of the town meeting at which the governor was to explain his plan to increase tolls on the state's major highways.

"That's just nonsense. It's nonsense," Corzine said. "I'm not going to be embarrassed by it. I can't find anybody that was around that said anything like that happened. Most of the staff was with me."

Doughty referred further questions about the arrest to Middle Township police, whose chief, Joe Evangelista, backed up Corzine's account.

Doughty was inside the school at the time of the arrest and might not have had first-hand knowledge of what transpired outside, Evangelista said. The lieutenant in charge of the scene consulted only with school district officials before arresting Lo negan on a charge of defiant trespass.

"The governor and his staff and even his security detail had nothing to do with this," Evangelista said. "They were not under their direction. That's why (police officers) went to the superintendent and business administrator. This is their property. It was their call."

Schools Superintendent Michael Kopakowski did not return phone calls seeking comment.

The tumult over Lonegan's ar rest distracted from the ongoing debate of the governor's "financial restructuring" proposal at a time when Corzine's sales pitch is about to reach full boil.

Corzine held a news conference yesterday to introduce a diverse, 17-member "steering committee," headed by former U.S. Rep. Bob Franks, a Republican, that will advocate for his plan to use steep toll hikes to reduce the state's debt by half. The group represents "the highest echelons of some of the most important as pects of our society," Corzine said.

The committee includes Den nis Bone, president of Verizon NJ; Fred Hassan, chairman of Scher ing Plough; the Rev. Reginald Jackson of the Black Ministers Council; Shirley Tilghman, president of Princeton University; Gil Medina, former commerce commissioner in the Whitman administration; and former state Supreme Court Chief Justice James Zazzali.

By the end of the news conference, however, Corzine was fending off questions about the arrest Lonegan, the gadfly former mayor of Bogota who lost a bid for governor in the 2005 Republican primary.

"I had nothing to do with that," Corzine said of the arrest.

Lonegan, an outspoken oppo nent of much of the governor's agenda, said he was handing out fliers on the school lawn before the town meeting when school officials approached him and told him all protests were confined to a corner across the street.

When Lonegan didn't leave, a police officer approached and insisted he move.

"This guy was not going to tell me I can't hand out fliers at a public meeting," Lonegan said. "I said, 'Look, the only way you are going to stop me is to arrest me.' It took six cops to bring me in -- more than it took to get John Dil linger."

Lonegan was handcuffed, frisked and taken to police headquarters, where he was photographed and fingerprinted. He received a written summons for de fiant trespass and was released. He is scheduled to appear in Middle Township Municipal Court Jan. 30.

Lonegan insisted the governor's staff was behind his arrest. "Who else would give these guys the directive to do this?" he said.

Aides to Corzine insisted the governor had nothing to gain by having Lonegan arrested. Corzine also pointed out that Seth Grossman, another protester arrested with Lonegan, returned to the high school in time to take part in the town hall meeting.

Lonegan has been at every town hall meeting the governor has held on his toll plan and was among those who questioned Corzine at the first meeting in Livingston.

"I've got no objection to passing out leaflets, standing on your head, running with placards," Corzine said. "But if that's against the law, then it's against the law."

The arrest raised questions about whether Lonegan actually broke the law.

Evangelista, the Middle Township police chief, could not cite a specific town ordinance against protests on the high school campus, but said school district administrators made it clear they did not want protesters on school property.

"We gave him a warning, he refused to comply, so we arrested him on trespassing," Evangelista said.

Lonegan's arrest appears to be "bogus," said Deborah Jacobs, executive director of the New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

"From what it sounds like, he was engaged in political speech activities, which are the most protected kind of speech," she said.

State Sen. Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen) said he was "deeply disturbed" by Lonegan's arrest and called on U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie to investigate.

News accounts and video "seem to indicate that Corzine's people conspired with the local police to shut down the peaceful protest outside of the high school," Cardinale said. "Who does he think he is, Joe Stalin?"

The Senate budget committee is scheduled to hold its first hearing on Corzine's plan this afternoon in Trenton.

Much has been done in my two years as governor, but much remains. However, it could all be threatened by an out-of-control state budget that has been glossed over with promises and wishful thinking for too long.

We finally provided affordable health care for every child in New Jersey and property tax relief to nearly 2 million homeowners. We did the right thing and ended the death penalty across our state. And just last week, the legislature passed a landmark, bipartisan plan to fund our states schools.

I'm worried that we won't be able to make investments in our future as long as our state owes more than $100 billion in bonded debt and unfunded pension and health care liabilities. That's more than $45,000 per New Jersey household and more than virtually any other state. It's time to restructure our state's finances and put New Jersey on sound financial footing for the next 50 years.

My plan imposes three key spending rules on our state budget. First, I will introduce a budget in February that freezes state spending at this year's current level.

Second, we will end the culture of living beyond our means. Under my new rules, any future spending will have to be tied to a real increase in revenue. You can't spend money you don't have at home. Why should the State House be any different?

And third, we will return the state's credit card to the people. For nearly 200 years, our State Constitutions have explicitly barred borrowing without voter approval. But too many loopholes have bypassed the true meaning of this requirement. I am proposing an amendment that ends this practice and restores the people's rightful role in approving most types of borrowing.



Additionally - I want to be clear and honest upfront about this - my plan involves toll hikes. Under my plan the cost of an average trip on the Turnpike would be $2.05 in five years. In 10 years, it will be $5.80.

The average trip today is $1.21. But remember those tolls were set when a gallon of gas was $1.13, a movie ticket was $4, and almost no one had cell phones or email.

Believe me, I've run all the numbers. There is no better alternative to achieve the twin goals of paying down our state's debt and funding the Transportation Trust Fund for the next 75 years.

It would take a 20% increase in the state income tax, a 30% increase in the state sales tax, or a 50-cent per gallon increase in the state gas tax to accomplish the same results. All of these other options are terrible for New Jersey's economy and I will not propose any of them.

Again, let me be clear: Under my plan, the people of New Jersey still own our toll roads. I propose selling only the rights to manage them to a not-for-profit Public Benefit Corporation. All safety, maintenance, and roadway standards will be delivered at current or improved levels.

We'll use the money raised by this arrangement to pay down half of our current debt. We'll also be able to fully fund our transportation infrastructure for the next 75 years. Combined with the new spending rules that I am also proposing, this move will finally put New Jersey back on sound financial ground.

This proposal isn't something I want to do. It's something we have to do. It is the best solution I've found to restore the State's financial integrity, health, and capacity.

I understand this plan will be controversial. That's why I will be holding 21 town hall meetings in 21 New Jersey counties to present my plan to voters and to answer every question you might have. I pledge to have an open, honest, and public dialogue as I try to win your support for what I am convinced is an absolutely vital proposal.

Sincerely,


Jon Corzine

It is a bit late so would you please summarize for me: how much is the estimated increase in the cost of one kilo of potatoes or apples? 0.01 cents?

Haha, this is the first time that I've heard of a spending freeze (and I'm still waiting for cuts) from our current governor. He even admits that his talk of cuts is just a gambit to raise tolls; "he suggested the process of making cuts would help prove his plan to raise tolls?or raise taxes".

Raising tolls or raising taxes is what our governor is all about. Trimming even a small part of the waste is not even on the agenda.

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We have a good and thoughtful governor. Road tolls should have been raised a long time ago; Hopefully, that money could be used to fund more mass transit

Toll Increases or Not, Corzine Will Freeze Spending

Gov. Jon Corzine said today that he will freeze spending in next year?s state budget whether or not the Legislature passes his plan to raise tolls and restructure the state?s battered finances. Since there is a $3 billion deficit anticipated for next year?s budget, the governor would likely have to find billions in cuts to balance a $33.5 billon budget.


?It won?t be easy,? Corzine told a gathering of mayors at the Statehouse annex this morning. But he suggested the process of making cuts would help prove his plan to raise tolls?or raise taxes?is necessary to fix the state?s finances. ?Freezing spending will help people understand how much we need to restructure,? Corzine said.


The governor is tentatively scheduled to introduce a budget on Feb. 26. He also said that he would push a plan to require voter approval for all future state borrowing and a measure requiring all future expenditures to have dedicated revenue sources.


?If I don?t do it through the Legislature, I will do it through executive order,? Corzine said. Under his restructuring plan, tolls would rise 50 percent every four years between 2010 and 2022. A new public corporation would manage the roads and sell bonds that the toll increases would retire. The state would then use the nearly $40 billion of new revenue from the bonds to cut in half the state?s $32 billion debt burden and fund transportation projects for 75 years. - Scott Goldstein

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Yes.

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No.


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No.

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Yes, for now.

That's an interesting claim - can you show that after gas taxes, registration fees, speeding tickets, tolls, etc. the state subsidizes driving? My understanding is that driving subsidizes mass transit via B&T tolls 'round here.

Even as a non-driver, I think that people should consider how private vehicles can and will be updated by more efficient ones much more quickly than coal powered mass transit will become more environmentally friendly. Oh yea, that's where 50% of the electricity comes from in the U.S. - coal.

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There's a lot of humor and truth in that statement. Corzine gets to appease car nazis like GP and not get stuck in traffic on the Parkway. That's a win-win.

Also, I'm curious if roads really are subsidized after you account for the gas tax. Anybody have any info on this?

Tax dollars have for far too long subsidized highway traffic. Tolls are increased too rarely to keep up with inflation. Meanwhile, mass transit fares go up every two or three years with little investment in the service.

Cheap roads are not only bad because of added amount of carbon emissions from cars, but also because subsidizing oads is also a subsidy for suburban sprawl. Low cost tolls means expanding suburban growth rather than encouraging high density communities that can rely on mass transit.

This toll increase is bullshit.

NJ is a corrupt little state, a laughingstock of the Union.

Corzine, if he had any balls at all, would clean the house of al the state crooks who collect double and triple pensions, many over 100,00K a year.

WTF?

This state is a joke.

I don't think too many people are commuting from below exit 8, much less exit 4 (where the turnpike is 2 lanes!). I also don't see why people who are paying the tolls shouldn't get semi-decent roads for their increased tolls.

A real problem with this proposal is that it will drive a lot more commuters onto local roads. This will lead to both increased local congestion and loss of life as limited access highways are much safer than local roads.

I really do wonder if thinking like Tankstelle's isn't behind both Bloomberg's NYC "congestion charge" idea and Corzine's wanting to increase the tolls. In our new gilded age it must piss off multi-millionaires like Bloomberg and Corzine when they have to sit in traffic like everyone else. Of course, Corzine also had a pretty bad experience crashing when his detail was irresponsibly speeding to get to that all important Imus meeting...

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Why the he!! would you advocate them to raise our income tax when we have drug dealers getting $50k a year in government jobs? Once the govt. cleans its house, then it can come knocking on my door.

And as far as widening the turnpike, the traffic is on the weekends. This is not commuter traffic. It is people on vacation and people visiting friends and family that live South of here. You are advocating that we cripple our tourism industry and inhibit the ability of people to move to a different city (away from their families) for a good job. Both options are horrible for our economy. I think you really either want to raise the gas tax or enforce more stringent CAFE laws. There is no reason to blindly oppose any proposal that involves cars.

Corzine: Most Toll Payers are Commercial Drivers or from Other States

When Gov. Jon Corzine yesterday announced a plan that involves raising highway tolls by 50 percent every four years starting in 2010, he said that ?toll increases will be imposed equally on all users?a majority of whom are commercial and out-of-state drivers.?

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri, a member of Corzine?s cabinet, told NJBIZ that an estimated 53 percent of toll payers on the New Jersey Turnpike and 30 percent to 35 percent of toll payers on the Garden State Parkway are from out of state. The Atlantic City Expressway has a smaller number of out-of-state drivers, but it?s harder to estimate because most motorists on that road pay cash instead of using E-Z Pass, Kolluri said. - Scott Goldstein