N.J. Senate President Offers Transportation Funding Compromise to Christie
The battle over transportation funding in New Jersey that has shut down road projects in the state took another turn July 11 when Senate President Stephen Sweeney offered an olive branch to his nemesis, Gov. Chris Christie.
Sweeney told reporters that he’s willing to compromise on the size of the Senate’s plan to bolster the Transportation Trust Fund.
“We’re going to offer a couple of compromises to the governor,” Sweeney said before explaining that he would reduce the Senate’s $10-year, $20 billion proposal to match the eight-year, $16 million plan passed by the Assembly with Christie’s support. “I would prefer 10 [years], but I’m willing to compromise. Hopefully, it’s something that might pique his interest and he’ll offer something back.”
Em-ails to Christie’s office weren’t immediately returned, and he had yet to publicly respond.
Sweeney, a Democrat, added that he plans to meet with Christie, a Republican, this week. Sweeney also warned that if a deal isn’t reached this week the crisis could linger into August. That’s because Christie is reportedly a leading contender to be the vice presidential nominee when the Republicans hold their convention next week in Cleveland. The Democrats will host their convention the following week in Philadelphia.
“We're always willing to listen to other ideas, as long as it's something that can get signed into law,” Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto said in a statement. “This is no time for ego and politics. This is the time to get something done."
On June 28, Prieto, a Democrat, reneged on an agreement to support Sweeney and signed on to the package that Christie favors.
On the same day that Sweeney was bending, county and municipal leaders from across New Jersey held a news conference at which they called for an end to the standoff. Some even suggested that the Legislature hold a special session, but that idea was discouraged by Sweeney and Prieto.
The Transportation Trust Fund’s borrowing authority expired July 1. New Jersey’s Department of Transportation said only about $85 million remained for construction. Christie’s shutdown of all nonessential projects went into effect July 8 and was set to last at least a week.
Both sides support fuel tax hikes of 27 cents per gallon on diesel and 23 cents per gallon on gas to rejuvenate the fund. The Assembly-Christie plan includes a 1% sales tax decrease by 2018, while the Senate’s phases out New Jersey’s estate tax.
