Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Memorializes Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission to rescind toll rate increase.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution memorializing the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission to rescind the toll rate increase approved in May of 2011.
Whereas, In May of 2011, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission ("Commission") approved a toll rate increase for passenger vehicles of $0.25, thereby increasing the toll on the Commission's seven toll bridges by 33% from $0.75 to $1.00; and
Whereas, The Commission also approved a toll rate increase for trucks and commercial vehicles of $0.75 per axle, thereby increasing the rate for a two-axle nonpickup truck from $2.50 per axle to $3.25 and from $3.25 to $4.00 per axle for any truck with three or more axles; and
Whereas, Now, more than ever, it is imperative that public officials focus on ways to reduce government spending and avoid measures that place an excessive financial burden on the citizens of New Jersey; and
Whereas, As an alternative to increasing bridge tolls, the Commission should scrutinize its expenditures to identify cost-cutting measures; and
Whereas, The toll increase will likely divert motorists from the Commission's toll bridges to the Commission's non-toll bridges and, thereby, add to traffic congestion, increase the risk of accidents, and accelerate the rate of wear and tear on the non-toll bridges; and
Whereas, It is thus in the public interest for this House to memorialize the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission to rescind the toll rate increase approved in May of 2011 and scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2011; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House memorializes the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission to rescind the toll rate increase approved in May of 2011 and scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2011.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested to by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the Governor of the State of New Jersey and the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and to the Executive Director of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.
STATEMENT
This resolution memorializes the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission ("Commission") to rescind the toll rate increase scheduled to take effect July 1, 2011.
In May of 2011, the Commission approved a toll rate increase for passenger vehicles of $0.25, thereby increasing the toll on the Commission's seven toll bridges from $0.75 to $1.00, and approved a toll rate increase for trucks and commercial vehicles of $0.75 per axle, thereby increasing the rate for a two-axle nonpickup truck from $2.50 per axle to $3.25 and from $3.25 to $4.00 per axle for any truck with three or more axles.
Now, more than ever, it is imperative that public officials focus on ways to reduce government spending and avoid measures that place an excessive financial burden on the citizens of New Jersey. Therefore, as an alternative to increasing bridge tolls, the Commission should scrutinize its expenditures to identify cost-cutting measures.