newjerseynewsroom.com

New Jersey state Senator Steven Oroho, Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose and Assemblyman Gary Chiusano, all R-Sussex, Morris, and Hunterdon, Tuesday lauded the comments made by Gov. Christie that he did not favor placing new tolls on roads, such as Interstates 80, 287, 78, 195 and 295. The governor's remarks were made in response to questions posed about a transition report that suggested he consider such an action.

"Gov. Christie made it clear his position on the toll issue," stated Oroho. "I am pleased that we have someone in the State House who recognizes that raising tolls or enacting new ones is not the answer to solving our fiscal problems. It is time to find a solution that doesn't continue to burden the people who already pay the highest taxes in the country."

"Placing the additional burden of paying a toll on our heavily-traveled roadways would do more harm than good," said McHose. "The public has all too often seen that the easiest path to travel, and the one that leads to increasing state revenues, is to raise taxes. I am pleased that Governor Christie understands that a proposal establishing new tolls would especially hurt commuters who utilize these roads and should not be under consideration."

Gov. Christie said he wanted to give his transition teams the autonomy to make recommendations, but that didn't necessarily mean he would implement every idea offered by the respective groups.

"Steve, Alison, and I had to consistently fight the Corzine administration which wanted to place new tolls, especially on 80 and 78," said Chiusano. "Putting new tolls on our interstates won't help commuters or the business community. In fact, it is likely that such an action would continue the exodus of people and commerce from our state. That is something which has gone on long enough and a trend that needs to be reversed."

— ANDY LAGOMARSINO, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM