Anti-Congestion Tax Act
Anti-Congestion Tax Act
Plain Language Summary
# Anti-Congestion Tax Act Summary **What It Does:** This bill would block federal transportation funding to New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) unless the agency exempts certain vehicles from Manhattan's congestion pricing toll. The toll, called the Central Business District Tolling Program, charges drivers to enter a designated area in Manhattan. The bill specifically requires exemptions for vehicles using major crossings like the Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, and George Washington Bridge when entering the tolled zone. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects drivers who commute into Manhattan from New Jersey and other areas, the MTA's ability to receive federal grants for transit projects, and New York City's congestion pricing program.
New Jersey residents and commuters would benefit from toll exemptions, while the MTA and NYC transit expansion could be negatively impacted if federal funding is withheld. **Current Status:** HR 344 was introduced by Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House. The bill essentially uses federal funding as leverage to pressure New York to provide toll exemptions that would benefit cross-commuters, particularly from New Jersey.
CRS Official Summary
Anti-Congestion Tax Act This bill prohibits the Department of Transportation (DOT) from awarding capital investment grants to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for projects in New York until DOT certifies that vehicles using certain crossings to enter into Manhattan's congestion tolling zone receive exemptions from congestion tolls. The vehicular crossings include the Holland Tunnel, the Lincoln Tunnel, the George Washington Bridge, and any other crossing immediately before entry into the congestion tolling zone.As background, the MTA's Central Business District Tolling Program for New York City charges drivers a toll to enter an area in Manhattan designated as the Congestion Relief Zone. Under the bill, congestion tolling zone generally means any roadways, bridges, tunnels, approaches, or ramps that are located within, or enter to, the Congestion Relief Zone, with some modifications.Specifically, the bill requires the MTA to credit a vehicle for the vehicular crossing toll from the amount of the congestion toll charged to the vehicle for entering the congestion tolling zone.Further, the bill allows drivers entering Manhattan using any of the vehicular crossings immediately before entry into the congestion tolling zone to receive a federal tax credit at the end of the year equal to the amount paid in congestion tolls for using the crossing.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.