Tolls Increasing On NJ Turnpike, Parkway — Unless Murphy Stops It

NEW JERSEY - The New Jersey Turnpike Authority Board of Commissioners plans to increase tolls on state roadways to pay for 44 new employees and a $100 million increase to their $2.62 billion budget —unless Gov. Phil Murphy stops them.

The 3 percent increase would take effect on Jan. 1, 2024, and would affect drivers on the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike, according to multiple reports.

The hike would be the fourth toll increase since 2020. A News 12 New Jersey report said motorists will see tolls increase at most plazas from $2.10 to $2.16.

According to a NJ.com report, the board unanimously approved the budget in a 6-0 vote. This year's budget reflects a $100 million increase over last year and would add employees to the state's maintenance and engineering departments, officials told the publication.

Now, the National Motorist Association New Jersey chapter is asking Murphy to veto the budget, citing four straight years of 3 percent toll increases.

The governor has the authority to do so since he appoints most of the members of the board, designates the chair and has the statutory authority to overturn board action by vetoing the minutes of the meeting at which the action was taken.

"NJ-NMA recommends that the governor veto or partially veto the minutes from this meeting and force the authority to reassess its toll increases since 2020 to arrive at a revised tolling plan for 2024," Steve Carrellas, the association's state policy director, told NJ.com.

New Jersey's top two Democrats also opposed the toll hike and called on Murphy to block it.

In a statement provided to New Jersey 101.5, Senate President Nick Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said that while investing in infrastructure is critical to economic growth, "New Jersey families have been struggling with the effects of inflation."

"We have focused tirelessly on easing their burdens and ensuring affordability," the pair stated.

Meanwhile, bills addressing toll hikes have stalled in the state legislature, reports said. One would provide a tax credit or deduction to commuters, while another would stop toll indexing for at least three years and roll back recent toll increases, New Jersey 101.5 reported.