The N. J. Department of Transportation has posted a running meter on its web site that counts off the money it claims the state is losing because of congressional inaction.
The notice reads:
“With each passing second, Washington inaction costs NJ families:”
As of 6:00 pm EST Wednesday, the total was $380,356,395.19.
“On Sept. 30, 2004, the U.S. Congress approved a sixth extension of TEA-21, the federal highway and transit funding bill, that expired on Sept. 30, 2003. This extension continues highway and transit funding to New Jersey at the 2003 levels until May 31, 2005.
“Had Congress passed a new bill (Senate Bill 1072), New Jersey would have received approximately $752,000 more in federal funds each day since Oct. 1, 2003. Every second that Congress fails to pass a new version of TEA-21 costs New Jersey taxpayers federal funds.
“Track the growing cost of this delay, based on anticipated funding in the new bill, with the real-time counter above.”