“I am firmly opposed to any attempt to force through a congestion pricing proposal in the final months of the Biden Administration. All of us need to listen to the message that voters across America sent last Tuesday, which is that the vast majority of Americans are experiencing severe economic strains and still feeling the effects of inflation. There could not be a worse time to impose a new $9 toll on individuals who are traveling into downtown Manhattan for work, school, or leisure.

“New Jersey has never been meaningfully consulted on the design of this plan, either in its initial iteration or the version that was announced on Nov 14th. Perhaps that is because this effort has always simply been a way to take money from the pockets of New Jersey residents to bail out the MTA from a mountain of debt.

“I have consistently expressed openness to a form of congestion pricing that meaningfully protects the environment and does not put unfair burdens upon hardworking New Jersey commuters. Today’s plan woefully fails that test.

“I urge Governor Hochul to reconsider the plan, and I urge all elected officials in the region — including those set to take office in January — to speak out against this proposal. Meanwhile, my administration will continue the fight to block this plan in court.”