Weinberg: Toll Hikes Are ‘Chris Christie Tax Increase’

Democratic lawmakers blasted the Port Authority toll hikes Sunday, calling the higher tolls a tax increase brought on by Gov. Christie.

“We are here today to tell you that Democrats would defend Bergen families. Democrats will fight for Bergen families, and clearly, clearly, Chris Christie is no friend to Bergen County,” State Sen. Loretta Weinberg said.

“This is a tax on working people and it’s unprecedented,” said Assemblyman Gordon Johnson.

A Christie spokesman did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Monday morning.  In August, Christie and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo sent a letter to the Port Authority over the toll hikes.

“While we did not want to see any toll increase, given the crisis facing the Port Authority and its finances, and the potential safety and economic risks to commuters and businesses, an increase cannot be avoided,” the governors wrote. “However, in this economic climate, a toll and fare increase can only go forward if coupled with a stringent audit of the Port Authority practices that led to the fiscal mismanagement that made these increases the only financially solvable solution in the first place.”

Weinberg said the next step will be to officially ask for an audit of the bi-state transit agency.