Opposition is growing to New York’s proposed congestion pricing plan, which would lead to higher tolls for New Jersey residents traveling into Manhattan. To fight the proposal, a New Jersey group has launched the Fair Congestion Pricing Alliance, which is backed by business leaders, and it’s demanding that the Garden State has a say. According to the group, New York’s plan to impose extra tolls on cars and trucks entering Manhattan from 60th Street down to Battery Park would cost New Jersey commuters an extra $3,000 a year. The group is urging New Jersey residents to speak out during the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s first virtual public hearing on the proposal, which begins Friday, Sept. 24 at 10 a.m.
Jersey City is expanding its rent relief program, which provides assistance to low-income residents. The new, second phase of the program will offer eligible families up to $10,000 in rental assistance, with the funds paid directly to their landlords. Right now low-income residents are protected from eviction due to nonpayment through the end of this year. Jersey City will begin taking applications starting Monday, Oct. 4.
New Jersey businesses with dreams of selling their products well beyond our state borders can apply for grants to help them do just that. The New Jersey Business Action Center has received $1.25 million in federal funds for the State Trade Expansion Program or STEP. Melanie Willoughby, executive director of the center says there’s a growing market for Jersey goods. Federal data shows that for the first seven months of this year, New Jersey’s exports were up 39% compared to 2020.
The number of Americans filing for unemployment for the first time rose a bit more than expected with 351,000 new claims. That’s still above where we were before the pandemic. In New Jersey, unemployment claims held fairly steady.
