'Selfish Money Grab': Bergen County Joins NJ Lawsuit Against NYC Congestion Pricing

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Bergen County has filed a brief in support of a New Jersey lawsuit against a proposed toll for drivers in Midtown Manhattan, the county announced Monday, calling the proposal a "selfish money grab by New York City.”

Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco and the Bergen County Board of Commissioners announced that the county had filed an amicus brief in support of the State of New Jersey’s legal action against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s proposed congestion pricing program.

The plan would charge drivers an extra toll for passing through Midtown Manhattan.

Earlier this month, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy filed an amended complaint against the MTA, calling the plan unconstitutional.

“New York's unilateral decision to finally address years of financial mismanagement at the MTA by plugging revenue holes at the environmental and financial detriment of Bergen County residents and businesses is shameful and must be stopped,” said Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco on Monday.

He added, “In the interest of Bergen County’s nearly one million residents, my administration fully supports the State of New Jersey and Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich’s efforts to pump the brakes on this selfish money grab by New York City.”

"By joining the State of New Jersey lawsuit against congestion pricing, we affirm our commitment to supporting the well-being of our community,” said Bergen County Commissioner Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz. “The failure to thoroughly consider the impact on neighboring states is evident. We demand to be part of the decision-making process, and will never stop advocating for the needs and health of all Bergen County residents."

In the brief filed on Jan. 8, the county argued that the plan will burden Bergen County residents by increasing air pollution and increased traffic, the county said Monday.

The brief also says that the congestion pricing plan is designed to only benefit New York City at the expense of Bergen County and its residents.

The county’s legal team is expected to receive a decision on whether its brief is accepted on Feb. 5.

"Bergen County remains committed to protecting the interests of its residents and businesses, advocating for fair and transparent solutions that do not compromise the well-being of our 70 communities," said a county spokesman on Monday.