Rep. Grimm vows to block higher NY bridge toll with legislation

Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) said Monday that he would continue to work for passage of federal legislation aimed at limiting increases in bridge and tunnel tolls after New York's transit authority proposed raising tolls on the Varrazano bridge from $13 to $15.

"Tolls and taxes should not be the go-to solution for every debt-stricken government authority. Just as every working family or business must learn to live within a budget, so should the MTA," he said, referring to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Grimm added that regardless of who is asking for the toll increase, "our message to them is the same: 'We are not your personal ATM machine!' There has to be a better way."

In September, Grimm introduced the Stop the Excessive Toll Hikes Act, which would block federal funding to any transportation authority that has increased bridge or tunnel tolls by more than 10 percent over the last five years. Under that bill, H.R. 6515, New York's MTA could only receive federal funds if it dropped the Verrazano Bridge toll to $11, because the toll for that bridge five years ago was $10.

"I urge the MTA to find a viable solution to their debt that doesn't balance its budget on the backs of the hard-working people in my district," he said. "Until then, I will continue to fight these hikes with every breath in my body and do all I can to move my legislation forward and into law."

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