The wars between New York City and Long Island, Staten Island, and New Jersey continue to erupt on the east coast. From arguing over who owns Ellis Island to warring about commuter taxes, New York City and New Jersey governments have become the modern era’s Hatfield’s and McCoys’s. The latest regional governmental skirmish has to do with commuter taxes charges by New York City to New Jersey commuters who pass through the city. Not since the days of King George III, when American colonies declared ”No taxation without representation” has such a tax battle erupted. Tolls, tokens and tickets have long been the price paid by New Jerseyans who work in New York. However, under a state law passed by New York in 1988, New Jerseyans are forced to pay taxes to New York state based on total family income, not just income earned in New York. New Jersey, on the other hand, has been taxing out of state workers based only on the amount of income earned in New Jersey. This proposal will examine this regional governmental battle over commuter taxation, including its origins, the present scenario, and the likely future outcome of this taxation war between the states.
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