New Jersey filed the first case to stop congestion pricing, but the judge overseeing it has yet to rule. NY1 has learned that’s because he forced settlement talks between New York and New Jersey, which have apparently broken down.

“It does not feel like it’s in good faith at this time,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said of the negotiations.

What You Need To Know

  • Sources with knowledge of the settlement talks between New York and New Jersey say Gov. Kathy Hochul offered substantially more money for environmental mitigation, transit and crossing credits at the George Washington Bridge

  • Environmental advocates and Hochul say New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is doing a disservice to the 80% of New Jersey residents who commute to the Central Business District by mass transit

  • The New Jersey case was the first to be filed and argues that the MTA’s environmental assessment was insufficient, an argument a New York judge ruled against in three New York cases

Multiple sources familiar with the negotiations told NY1 that Hochul offered tolling revenue to NJ Transit, as well as more money for environmental mitigation and a crossing credit at the George Washington Bridge, where there currently is none.

According to sources, in all, the value was upwards of $100 million. But New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s people would only take a deal that offered a credit of $9, the price of the toll. 

“The governor now has an opportunity by all accounts to secure some really big wins for New Jersey commuters, new jersey residents and the economy and air quality of the state,”  said Justin Balik, senior state program director for Evergreen Action, an environmental group that has worked for both the city Department of Transportation and the State of New Jersey. “And it’s an opportunity to call a win a win.”

The New Jersey case’s argument is that the environmental assessment was insufficient, was one claim in three lawsuits in New York. The judge in those cases ruled it was sufficient, though there are outstanding claims yet to be settled.

Environmentalists are concerned about how the judge in New Jersey could rule.

“They had thousands and thousands of pages of review that was published, they did a number, dozens of stakeholder meetings including in New Jersey multiple times that is going to be beneficial to the environment,” Julie Tighe, president of the League of Conservation Voters, said.

Tighe says 80% of New Jersey residents who commute to the Central Business District come by mass transit and Murphy is doing a disservice to them as more people could opt to take it instead of paying the toll. 

“They may put their head on a pillow in New Jersey but they’re part of our New York City workforce and I’m proud to have their talents,” Hochul said. “And I’m sure it’s a huge source of frustration that their own government is negotiation against their best interests."

A spokesperson for Murphy declined to comment.

Meanwhile, the nine other cases could derail congestion pricing. Four cases are in federal court Friday asking for a preliminary injunction to stop the plan while another is asking for the same on Monday.