Lawmakers act to restart N.J. transit projects
TRENTON - The Legislature's Joint Budget Oversight Committee approved selling more than $1 billion in bonds for state transportation projects in an emergency meeting today, allowing work to resume on $1.7 billion in projects around the state.
TRENTON - The Legislature's Joint Budget Oversight Committee approved selling more than $1 billion in bonds for state transportation projects in an emergency meeting today, allowing work to resume on $1.7 billion in projects around the state.
The emergency meeting came after the Christie administration on Friday halted the work, effective today, saying the Transportation Trust Fund would need the money to continue work through next spring.
Democratic lawmakers had said they wanted to know what the Christie administration's long-term plans are to fund transportation projects before approving the bonds, but received no clarity on the issue at Monday's hearing.
North Jersey Democrats fear the administration will halt the proposal to build a multibillion dollar tunnel connecting New Jersey with Manhattan and redirect those funds to shore up the transportation program.
Administration officials said they hope to present a plan to lawmakers by the end of the calendar year.