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

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.”

{mosads}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.”