Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey has vetoed the 2024 budget of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, resulting in a delay of the planned 3% toll increase. The Democratic governor announced his decision on Thursday through a social media post, expressing his dissatisfaction with the justification provided for the toll increase included in the agency’s $2.6 billion budget. Murphy stated that he requires more information on why the hike is necessary.
The budget had been approved by authority board members with a unanimous 6-0 vote on Tuesday. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority operates the Garden State Parkway and the Turnpike, both major roadways in the state. Despite the veto, Tom Feeney, a spokesperson for the authority, expressed respect for Murphy’s decision and stated that they would gather the required information as requested.
Governor Murphy’s decision to block the toll increase comes at a critical time, as voting in the legislative midterm election is already underway. Democrats are hoping to maintain their majorities in the state. It is worth noting that the veto also comes just two days after the Democratic leaders of the Assembly and Senate publicly urged Murphy to veto the authority’s decision due to the ongoing struggles faced by New Jersey families amidst inflation.
During his call-in television show, Murphy emphasized that his veto decision was not politically motivated. He referred to it as a “time out” and expressed his commitment to analyzing the data and making an informed decision. The governor’s move highlights the significance of the toll increase issue in the current political landscape.
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