With the support of a local congressman Brooklynites and Staten Islanders are talking their fight against higher tolls on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge to Washington.
Congressman Michael Grimm announced Saturday he is proposing legislation to fight higher tolls on the bridge, where the MTA plans to increase the toll from $13 to $15 dollars next spring.
“Their only answer to being over budget isn’t accountability within their own agencies, it’s go to the tax payers and charge them more,” said Congressman Grimm at a protest against the toll hike. “We just can’t afford it anymore. Enough is enough.”
Congressman Grimm said he is presenting a bill that would restrict federal money to transportation agencies that raise tolls 10 percent over a five-year period.
Residents in Staten Island and Brooklyn say the toll increase would cause great financial strain, and community leaders say it may force businesses to close up shop and move out.
