Summit Suggested Over TTF Impasse In New Jersey
TRENTON, NJ. (CBS) -- With New Jersey's Transportation Trust Fund impasse now well into its second month, the state Assembly Speaker has suggested a summit with all sides to bring about an accord of some sort.
Vincent Prieto hammered out not one, but two deals. One with Governor Chris Christie that didn't fly in the Senate. Another with Senate President Steve Sweeney that doesn't resonate with the Governor. He is now offering a third option.
"We all can get in a room, put egos aside and politics aside and let's get this done," Prieto told KYW Newsradio. "See what we can compromise to."
Hundreds of local road projects throughout the state are on hold, with thousands of workers on furlough while the debate lingers not on whether to hike the gas tax 23 cents a gallon, but what other taxes are lowered.
"We cannot wait until Labor Day or after the November election," Prieto said. "We need to get this done now because we have people out of work."
Letters making the offer were hand delivered Wednesday to Christie and Sweeney, as well as minority leaders in the Assembly and Senate.
Christie's office did not immediately respond to a request from KYW Newsradio for a comment on Prieto's suggestion.
Sweeney offered a printed statement that reads, in part, "What surprises me is that the Speaker appears to be giving up again. This would be the second time he is waving the white flag. I'm working hard with others in the Senate for the TTF plan that we developed and the Speaker agreed to. I hope he isn't backtracking on his agreement and I certainly hope that he isn't reverting to the bill he agreed to with the Governor that would blow a $2 billion hole in the budget and put other priorities at risk."
