Christie's shut down of all transit projects has stopped NJT projects as well. Included in that is the Gateway tunnel EIS. It is puzzling in that NJT is not the only financial supporter of the preliminary work. Maybe the governor is following the law of "INTENDED" consequences.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/nj-transit-caught-in-road-funding-fight-1.1628772
The legislature set him up for failure and I think he has no choice. They followed his suggestion to reduce the sales tax from 7 to 6 percent, approved a 23 cent increase in the gas tax but then left a remaining revenue hole that if not filled quickly is going to result in a large hole in the state budget. So he needed to act in my opinion or they will blame him for the revenue hole the legislators produced.
Not sure why he is reducing the sales tax, is he trying to lure New Yorkers to spend more money in Northern New Jersey? At any rate the gas tax seems like a good idea but they need another more permanent source of funding for the Transportation Trust Fund for both the short and long-term.
This is just another of a long list of political games played by Christie. Two months ago, he denied that there was a problem with the NJ Transportation trust Fund, even though it was common knowledge that all income from motor fuels taxes must now be used to pay debt. Then he said that it was up to the legislature to solve the problem. The NJ Senate produced a bipartisian bill that would raise the motor fuels tax while eliminating the estate tax. Christie instead did a backroom deal (last minute, no hearings) with the leaders of the Assembly to increase the fuels tax while lowering the sales tax from 7% to 6%. This would have blown a $3-4 billion hole in the already tight state budget. The NJ Senate refused to approve this Assembly bill, thus Christie's tantrum.
Q: Why is Christie always pictured right behind Trump?
A: Trump has candy in his pockets.
sandyhookkenThe NJ Senate refused to approve this Assembly bill, thus Christie's tantrum.
I think we've all seen examples of Christie's tantrums and exacting revenge on opponents. I suppose that's why he is so unpopular in NJ.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
sandyhookken Q: Why is Christie always pictured right behind Trump?
On the left behind Trump. He’s auditioning for “President of the Senate.”
Couldn't even button his jacket? Now there's VeePee material! I am confused, however. He's a politician from New Jersey and he hasn't been indicted? Something's wrong here.
Another view
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/new-jersey/95345-new-jersey-transit-hit-with-bulk-of-transportation-project-shutdown-
Interesting series of photographs Wanswheel posted. I can't help but think it's been all downhill after Eisenhower, with one exception.
Take your pick, I'm not going any further.
And didn't Jimmie Roosevelt look good in those dress blues? I had the priveledge of meeting a veteran who served in the Marine Raiders with Captain Roosevelt. That old Raider told me Jimmie was ONE good Marine!
Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc., announced that MCI received notice from New Jersey Transit (NJT) that "requires an immediate and orderly shutdown of all ongoing work" under a contract to build commuter coaches.
MCI was awarded a contract by NJT in November 2015 with a firm order for three commuter coaches and options for an additional 1,219 over six years. After delivering three pilot coaches, which successfully passed the in-service testing and evaluation phase, MCI received a Notice to Proceed in May 2016 for the first year's production of 184 commuter coaches, of which 142 were to be delivered in calendar year 2016.
NJT advised MCI that the replenishment of the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Account (TTFA) has been delayed. Accordingly, Gov. Chris Christie issued Executive Order No. 210 declaring a State of Emergency and directing the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation and the Executive Director of the NJT to plan an immediate and orderly shutdown of all ongoing work that is funded by the TTFA. In accordance with the Shutdown Order issued by Dennis J. Martin , executive director of the NJT, all contract work financed by TTFA funds must begin an orderly shutdown.
"As of today, MCI has delivered five coaches to NJT with an additional 76 currently in various stages production or completed and in transit" said MCI’s President/CEO Paul Soubry. "We value MCI's long-term relationship with NJT and are working cooperatively and diligently to understand the impact of this funding disruption.”
Soubry further explained "MCI will shortly commence its annual three week summer shutdown and we will synchronize an orderly shutdown of NJT production to coincide with it and we hope this will provide sufficient time for the funding situation to be resolved."
The additional 61 commuter coaches to be delivered in 2016 that have not yet commenced production represent just below 2% of the total combined New Flyer and MCI annual bus manufacturing schedule for 2016. The company cannot predict at this time whether this issue will cause the company to adjust its annual production guidance.
There is now a very small push to expedite the new tunnel bores.
http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2016/08/video_warns_of_transit_apocalypse_if_new_tunnels_arent_fast-tracked.html#incart_river_home
Silly me.
I thought you had to be a Senator to be "President of the Senate".
Tom
ACY Silly me. I thought you had to be a Senator to be "President of the Senate". Tom
Actually, the Vice President is the President of the Senate.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Serving as President of the Senate is the only constitutional duty of the Vice President of the United States (Article 1, Section 3).
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