BECK, O’SCANLON, CASAGRANDE OPPOSE TOLL HIKES, REQUEST MORE PUBLIC MEETINGS

12th District Legislators Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande today reiterated their opposition to the toll hikes proposed by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and urged Governor Corzine to veto the Authorities decision. In a letter to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority the legislators expressed their opposition and requested a greater number of public meetings and more convenient timing of those meetings to discuss their controversial toll hike plan announced yesterday.

“New Jersey is facing difficult economic times, high unemployment and almost zero economic growth”, said Beck. “The timing of these increases couldn’t be worse and citizens should have ample opportunity to express their concerns. Three meetings, two of which are during the day, are simply unacceptable.”

In the letter, the legislators request 6 meetings, with two on a weekend and two more scheduled for evening hours. They also as request that one of the meetings be held in Monmouth County so that people most affected by the toll hikes will have a chance to weigh in on the plan and explain how their lives will be impacted.

“If you’re going to try to slam people with a 43% toll hike next year and a 115% hike over four years, the least you can do is make the meeting close to their homes so they don’t have to pay extra tolls to get to the meeting”, said O’Scanlon.

Casagrande pointed to the Republicans alternative budget plan offered in May, which would have made toll hikes unnecessary.

“Republicans in the Assembly and the Senate offered a responsible plan to fund transportation needs in this state- out of existing funds- for the foreseeable future when the budget was being debated. In February, the public, when given a chance to weigh in on the issue, repeatedly said they wanted spending to be cut instead of tolls being raised. So many people are at the end of their financial ropes. And yet here we are again, discussing a massive toll increase which will make the State even less affordable for the people who live here, and which will fall disproportionately on the shoulders of the people we represent. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Except in New Jersey poltics, apparently.”