What is going on here? A few years ago people were talking about removing tolls from the Parkway altogether, and now NJ residents -- and Ocean County / Toms River commuters in particular -- will get slammed with an incredible increase in Parkway tolls. Granted, something has to be done about the state debt, but this is the wrong remedy.
Big tools will make commuting from Toms River to NY or North Jersey too costly. We'll find good, hardworking local people having to move back North in order to be able to afford to get to their jobs.
And what about tourism? Will day-tripping North Jersey folks continue to come down here in droves? The average person is already paying more for food, rent, heat, etc. High tolls could just be the last straw. Seaside Heights will no doubt feel an impact. Our area could go into its own recession -- say what you want about the "bennies" -- but they are sure important to our local businesses. Let's not discourage them from coming down by picking their pockets at the toll booths.
Riverguy would rather see spending cuts, and if necessary, an increase in the state sales tax. If there has to be economic pain, let's do it so that everyone has to share the burden -- and areas like ours won't get singled-out.
