Tolls are EZ, but are they illegal? Woman says 'Yes' Newport This Week
NEWPORT — A Connecticut woman has filed a lawsuit in United States District Court alleging that the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority’s new toll structure is unconstitutional.
The class action lawsuit, filed by Old Greenwich, Conn. resident Isabel S. Cohen and unnamed co-plaintiffs, is the first legal challenge to the authority’s toll structure and newly-instituted EZ-Pass automated toll collection system. Ms. Cohen, who alleges that higher tolls for out-of-state residents violate the United States Constitution on several fronts, is seeking the court’s acknowledgement that the rate structure is unconstitutional. She also seeks financial awards and concessions from the state. But in a statement released Monday in response to the lawsuit, RITBA chairman David Darlington said he believes the authority’s rate structure is on solid legal footing.
.....Ms. Cohen did not return a telephone call seeking comment Monday. But in a 22-page complaint filed in U.S. District Court Friday, March 27, her attorneys argue that the new rate structure unfairly targets out-of-state EZ-Pass customers, who pay tolls ranging from 91 cents to $1.75 per bridge pass. Rhode Islanders who use the EZ-Pass system pay 83 cents per bridge crossing. Those without EZ-Pass transponders pay $2 per crossing, regardless of whether they live in Rhode Island or not.....
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1 comment:
I am totally sympathetic to Ms. Cohen's cause. My situation is even more offensive. Living in CT since 1987 and drawing all of my income from RI, I have been paying a full resident share of RI State income tax since that time. In recent years in have been able to reduce my travel requirement to approximately one-half time in Newport. RI does offer a discount for commuters - but only if you make at least 30 trips per month (approximately three-quarter time) across the bridge. So now, as a RI taxpayer, I have to pay the non-resident rate. This seems completely unfair to me. I wish Ms. Cohen the best of luck.
Ernest Dorazio
40 Morgan Point
Noank, CT 06340
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