By David Cruz
Correspondent
In the early days of the holiday season Democrats, Sen. Bob Menendez and Congressman Albio Sires say Republicans are trying to play the role of the grinch that stole Christmas. With a deadline looming for Congress to pass a long-term federal Highway and Mass transit bill, a Republican amendment could cost New Jersey $50 million, funding lawmakers say will be a body blow to the region’s economy.
“These funds support projects that support over half of all the nations transit riders,” said Menendez. “But because thos riders happen to live – in the most part – in the northeast, house republicans have decided to go after them. The house amendment strips funds from the places where a majority of the nation’s transit riders live.”
Menendez and Sires are conferees. Their task is to reconcile the house version of the bill that cuts almost $2 billion in funds for seven states – like New Jersey – with high-density public transportation. With the senate bill, which keeps the funds intact.
“We passed a short-term extension which ends on December 4,” assessed Menendez. “We have to have this bill done by then. We’ve been working around the clock and it really is unfair to the seven states that, in the middle of the night, someone makes an amendment to remove $1.7 billion from this formula. And it impacts an awful lot of people in this state. We are the most densely populated state in the country.”
New Jersey’s share of the cut is around $50 million. On the line is a major renovation to NJ Transit’s Elizabeth station, announced earlier this year and – say city officials – critical to the local economy. But it’s bigger than that, say transit advocates. Where is New Jersey gonna come up with its share oif the new Gateway tunnel and what will the cuts mean for NJ Transit riders?
“NJ Transit in October just increased its fares by eight percent, just to close a deficit that was the equivalent amount of this proposed $50 million cut,” noted Tri-State Transportation Campaign Executive Director Veronica Vanderpool. “That fare increase and service cuts was to help close a $52 million deficit. We can only imagine if this proposed amendment goes into effect what impact it’s going to have on NJ Transit service.”
Sires says he’s been working with lawmakers from the other affected states, which include New York and Connecticut, to put pressure on Republicans, who favor a bus-centric program targeting rural areas around the country.
Sires says he thinks a deal can be done – possibly as early as tonight. But that if the funds for New Jersey are not restored, neither he, nor Menendez will vote yes, outting the federal Highway and Mass Transit bill, back in jeopardy.
