PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — A local delegate is pushing for tolls to be temporarily suspended for federal workers who are still required to work, despite not being paid, during the government shutdown.
In a letter, Delegate Stephen Heretick (D-Portsmouth) called on Elizabeth River Crossings, LLC, and the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge to suspend the tolls for these essential workers until the shutdown ends and reimburse all tolls these workers have accrued since Dec. 20. A copy of the letter was also sent to Virginia’s Secretary of Transportation.
Heretick stressed how many of these workers are required to cross either the South Norfolk bridge, and the Downtown and Midtown tunnels, which are operated by ERC.
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“While we cannot undo the financial burdens and hardships this federal shutdown has brought to the homes of thousands of Virginians, we can certainly work together as responsible corporate citizens to help to alleviate the avoidable additional impact that job-related commuting adds to this,” said Delegate Heretick.
The partial government shutdown is now in its 21st day, tying a record set in 1995-1996 in President Bill Clinton’s administration. Friday also marks a missed paycheck date for hundreds of thousands of federal workers.
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