Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

News

Chris Christie Vs. Scott Stringer In "Commuter Tax Smackdown"

Garth Johnston

Published Apr 17, 2012

Modified Apr 17, 2012

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Garth Johnston

Published Apr 17, 2012

Modified Apr 17, 2012

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Earlier today, mayoral hopeful Scott Stringer called for the return of a .45 percent commuter tax of those working in the city who live elsewhere. And immediately politicians whose constituents might be put off by such a tax (which Stringer says could generate $725 million a year) are coming out of the woodwork to slam the plan. Not that Stringer is taking it lying down.

At an event in Bedminster, New Jersey, governor Chris Christie (whose wife Mary Pat commutes to the city and helped kill a mass transit plan) said the idea was "penny-wise and pound-foolish" and would hurt the economy and take kill jobs. He then went on to point out that Stringer isn't even the mayor yet, noting that "I'm sure we'll have conversations with Mayor Bloomberg and he'll understand that those types of border wars are things that we should attempt to avoid because it doesn't make any sense for New York's economy. It doesn't make any sense for New Jersey's economy."

Stringer's office quickly responded with this bit of high comedy:

Job killing? When Gov. Christie de-railed the ARC tunnel, he cost the region more than 150,000 jobs and $9 billion in economic activity. That's how you kill jobs, governor.
Gov. Christie should do his homework and get his facts right about the commuter tax. The greatest expansion of jobs in the nation's history occurred in the 1990s - when New Jerseyans who worked in NYC rightfully paid their fair share through a small commuter tax.

Not the first time somebody has said Christie needs to do some homework.

Meanwhile, the New Jersey governor wasn't the only critic talking today. The spokesman for the NY State Senate Republicans said, after pointing out the idea isn't even under consideration right now, that "we need to cut taxes, not increase them." And New York State Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Orange) chimed in, calling it "an onerous tax that would negatively affect working families, many of whom commute to and from New York City every day."

Tagged

cat fight

Chris Christie

commuter tax

congestion pricing

scott stringer

Garth Johnston

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE news

NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls

The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.

Michael Sol Warren

Published Oct 27, 2026 at 7:42 p.m. ET

Modified Oct 27, 2026 at 11:14 p.m. ET

Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting

The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.

Samantha Max

News

Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting

The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.

Samantha Max

Former NYC buildings boss helped reopen mayor's favored restaurant despite health violations

David Brand

1 killed, 4 others injured at Elizabeth, NJ vigil shooting

Catalina Gonella

Police arrest man in Queens stabbings that ended with officer shooting woman

Ryan Kost

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .