Democrats want Governor Murphy to stop Turnpike, Parkway toll hikes coming in January

The Legislature’s two top Democrats and some Democratic lawmakers in the middle of heated reelection campaigns are asking Gov. Phil Murphy to stop toll hikes planned for the Turnpike and Parkway in the new year.

The calls for Murphy’s intervention came after the New Jersey Turnpike Authority on Tuesday approved a $2.8 billion budget that includes revenue from a 3% toll hike starting Jan. 1, the fourth toll hike in as many years. They also come less than two weeks before Election Day, when all 120 legislative seats are on the ballot and Democrats are hoping to retain their majorities in both chambers.

Senate President Nick Scutari (D-Union) and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) released a joint statement late Tuesday urging Murphy to veto the minutes from the Turnpike Authority’s Tuesday meeting “to stop any toll hikes.” Democratic incumbents and candidates in the 11th and 38th Legislative Districts also issued statements urging Murphy to step in. 

“Investing in New Jersey’s vital transportation infrastructure is critical to our economic growth. But as New Jersey families have been struggling with the effects of inflation, we have focused tirelessly on easing their burdens and ensuring affordability,” Scutari and Coughlin said. 

Murphy’s office noted that the Turnpike Authority approved a plan in May 2020 — “not yesterday” — to raise tolls via an indexing process that determines how much the agency needs to fund its capital projects for the year, up to 3%. Since then, annual toll hikes have been automatic and have not needed their own separate public hearing.

“The Governor will closely review the meeting minutes from yesterday’s Board meeting to determine a path forward,” said Murphy spokesman Bailey Lawrence.

Supporters of the automatic increases have said they allow for incremental hikes annually instead of hitting drivers with dramatic increases once every few years.

Republicans, meanwhile, are slamming Democrats for breaking with the governor only when it’s “politically convenient.”

“Trenton Democrats enabled the Murphy administration to recklessly spend money on pet projects like a French Arts Museum in Jersey City, a private swimming pool in Deal, a Dominoes Club, and artificial turf cricket fields. While Governor Murphy avoids the real issues that impact New Jerseyans every single day, Republicans stand ready to address the affordability crisis in New Jersey,” Sen. Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) said in a statement.

A bipartisan Senate bill to pause automatic toll increases for three years has seen no movement since it was introduced in January 2022. The bill has no companion Assembly bill.

Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), a sponsor of the legislation, said in a statement there is “absolutely no reason to raise tolls this rapidly.” Gopal is seeking a new term against Republican Steve Dnistrian.

A trio of Bergen County Democratic incumbents from the 38th District also strongly urged Murphy to intervene, saying the top priority for lawmakers is to make the state “accessible and affordable for all families.”