Corzine said he was dismayed by a proposal to either have the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey give $1 billion to the city's Metropolitan Transportation Authority or charge New Jersey drivers $3 atop bridge and tunnel tolls to get into the city during rush hours.
"I am particularly disappointed at the threat to impose a toll surcharge on New Jersey drivers, who are already subject to congestion pricing by the increased tolls they are paying to use the George Washington Bridge and the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels," Corzine said.
Peak tolls on the bridge and tunnels recently rose from $6 to $8.
"I will only support a congestion pricing plan that is fair to New Jersey commuters, and this plan is not," Corzine said.
The concept known as congestion pricing still must be approved by New York state legislators. They must approve the plan by April 7 or the city stands to lose $354 million in funding promised by the federal government to help with the initiative.
The plan is meant to cut traffic and pollution by forcing more commuters onto mass transit.
"Unless this plan treats all drivers fairly, I am prepared to pursue legal action to protect New Jersey commuters from this outrageous action," Corzine said.
A spokesman for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg questioned Corzine's stance, citing Corzine's plan to significantly increase New Jersey highway tolls to pay state debt, a plan that lacks public and legislative support.
"We don't understand why it's OK for the New Jersey governor to hike tolls on New York cars on the turnpike and parkway to balance his state's budget, but New York can't raise revenue dedicated expressly for mass transit improvements for commuters across the region," said John Gallagher. "That seems duplicitous."
Gallagher said they're certain the plan "is not only fair and equitable, but also that it will withstand any legal challenges he brings."
Speaking before Corzine made his comments, Bloomberg said Tuesday that he thinks the plan is legal.
In Albany, the issue won't get a vote for perhaps several days.
The Republican-led Senate is too tied up with state budget bills to take up the measure immediately, said Senate majority spokesman Scott Reif.
And the Democratic-led Assembly won't consider the measure until after the budget is complete, said majority spokesman Dan Weiller. He said the issue could be discussed in closed-door conference this week and voted on by Monday's deadline.
Meanwhile, Assemblyman Richard Brodsky of Westchester said the bill doesn't have enough votes to pass the Legislature.
"The Assembly stood up to (former Governor) Eliot Spitzer when he was wrong," Brodsky said. "We'll stand up to Mayor Bloomberg when he's wrong. He's wrong on congestion pricing and right now, he doesn't have the votes."
Opponents include many lawmakers from outside Manhattan who decry the proposed congestion fees.
