KEAN, BECK SLAM PLAN TO SELL STATE TOLL ROADS AT TRANSPORTATION MEETING
LEGISLATORS HOLD MEETING ON TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

Assemblyman Sean T. Kean (R-11) and Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck (R-12) held a meeting Tuesday night to discuss Governor Corzine’s proposal to sell or lease the state’s toll roads and other important transportation issues. Both Assemblyman Kean and Assemblywoman Beck are members of the General Assembly Transportation and Public Works Committee.

Kean has been vocal in his opposition to the proposal to sell the state’s toll roads stating this plan could have serious negative repercussions including the state losing control over these road systems, decreased road maintenance, drastic toll increases, reduction in employees, and increased traffic on local roads.

"Selling the state’s toll roads will have serious repercussions that could negatively impact on the state’s quality of life, economy and financial well-being for generations to come," said Assemblyman Sean Kean.

Assemblywoman Beck added, "This is a decision that the residents of New Jersey will have to live with for the rest of this century and that once a deal is struck, future administrations will have their hands tied."

The State is currently considering various possibilities for asset monetization including selling or leasing the state’s toll roads.

"I do not believe that selling the state’s toll roads is in the best interest of the residents of New Jersey," continued Assemblyman Kean. "Currently, commuters and other drivers can expect the Turnpike and Parkway to be properly maintained, safe for travel, and they know there will be toll costs, but the tolls will not be excessive. Selling these highways could lead to untold changes including doubling or tripling the cost of the tolls."

"Whatever form the asset sale takes, it is essentially a means of borrowing that will provide the state with a short-term infusion of cash in exchange for the rights to a stream of toll revenue in the future," remarked Assemblywoman Beck. "The state’s enormous debt burden is already threatening the state’s future fiscal health and this will only exacerbate the problem."

Kean and Beck hosted this transportation meeting so that Monmouth County residents had the opportunity to speak out about this proposal and other transportation issues. Furthermore, as members of the Assembly Transportation Committee, the legislators felt it was important to hear from the people who will be directly impacted by this proposal.

"When you examine the impact this deal will have and the state’s finances, tolls, transportation management strategies, traffic on local roads, it looks very unattractive," Beck said. "The lure of this sale’s ability to generate quick cash to plug a budget hole might look good to the administration right now, but it should not be done to the long-term detriment of New Jersey residents."

"Many people in Monmouth County travel the Parkway and Turnpike every day. This plan could drastically affect their ability to commute and the economic feasibility of commuting to a job. Thus, I thought it was necessary to hold a public meeting on this proposal and learn what the public thinks of this plan," concluded Kean.

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