[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 214]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 3684, THE COMMUTER PROTECTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM REED

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 23, 2012

  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Commuter 
Protection Act, of which I am proud to be an original cosponsor. This 
bipartisan, responsible legislation brings oversight of our nation's 
federally funded highway system back to the United States Department of 
Transportation, giving them the ability to determine whether tolls 
imposed by regional and state toll authorities are just and reasonable. 
This was an authority the Department of Transportation had previously, 
and one I believe should be restored. Importantly, they would only have 
oversight when, and if, there was a complaint about a toll practice.
  Representing the 29th Congressional District of the great state of 
New York, this is an issue that impacts my constituents directly. 
Recent actions taken by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey 
are indicative of the abusive toll structure that can be imposed when 
agencies are left unchecked. The Port Authority recently raised toll 
rates for all of its bridges and tunnels, which, when fully 
implemented, will charge 5-axle tractor-semitrailers $105 per crossing. 
Mister Speaker, this is a 163% cost jump, with rates three times higher 
than Philadelphia, the next highest city for tolls on trucks.
  Mr. Speaker, a toll increase like this has a tremendously negative 
impact on my constituents who transport goods in and out of New York 
City. I have heard directly from many of them, like Ken Johnson who 
owns Leonards Express, a trucking company in Ontario County, about the 
harm this would do for his business and others throughout Western New 
York and the Southern Tier. Additionally, it is clear that ultimately 
consumers will bear the burden of paying higher prices for goods they 
buy in stores.
  While I understand making needed safety improvements to our nation's 
roads necessitates increasing tolls from time to time, I do not 
understand--nor has the Port Authority given--the justification for a 
rise of this magnitude. Thus, we need the Department of Transportation 
to be able to review these toll structures, and others across the 
country, to ensure taxpayer interests are being best served. Consumers 
and businesses should not be forced to pay the price for mismanagement, 
and that is why I urge my colleagues to support the Commuter Protection 
Act.

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