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 hes willing to compromise on the size of the Senates plan to bolster the Transportation Trust Fund.
Were going to offer a couple of compromises to the governor, Sweeney said before explaining that he would reduce the Senates $10-year, $20 billion proposal to match the eight-year, $16 million plan passed by the Assembly with Christies support. I would prefer 10 [years], but Im willing to compromise.泭 Hopefully, its something that might pique his interest and hell offer something back.
Em-ails to Christies office werent 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 isnt reached this week the crisis could linger into August. Thats 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 Funds borrowing authority expired July 1. New Jerseys Department of Transportation said only about $85 million remained for construction. Christies 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 Senates phases out New Jerseys estate tax.