93-3-WMR Audio on Demand presents the Preston and Steve show podcast.

And now, Preston and Steve's news updates with Kathy Romano.

And today is Monday, September 14th. Good morning, Kathy.

Good morning. In the news this morning, the first part of a one-two punch for New Jersey

drivers takes effect with hikes on the state's two major toll roads.

The state approved the increases in May over objections of residents who criticized the timing during the coronavirus pandemic.

Starting today, tolls will rise 36% on the New Jersey turnpike and 27% on the Garden State Parkway.

Tolls on the Atlantic City Expressway will go up as well.

Next month, the state's gas tax is scheduled to rise about nine cents per gallon to maintain

New Jersey's Transportation Trust Fund as required by law.

Last fall, after traffic on the Turnpike and Parkway rose in the first nine months of the

year, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority announced that there would be no toll increases in 2020 based on the projected revenue increases, but the pandemic caused the toll revenues to drop.

Transportation officials say the increases are needed to fund the 10-year, $24 billion capital improvement program and provide critical funding to New Jersey Transit.

The last major capital improvement program required toll adjustments was approved in 2008.

Gasoline consumption dropped about 39% from March to May, coinciding with the coronavirus outbreak.

A possible meeting with Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and homeless encampment organizers could take place today.

Those who have been living in tents along the Ben Franklin Parkway have extended an invitation

to Mayor Kenny to join them for some brunch and conversation.

The invitation comes as tensions grow at two sites, one along the parkway and another along Ridge Avenue

near the Philadelphia Housing Authority building.

Are the homeless hosting this brunch? I don't know. I thought the same thing. How do you like your rat? You know, it's kind of weird, right? It was like a spray painted sign on like a sheet and they hung it up. And apparently they've asked him a couple of times to come to this. Well, there you go. Well, hopefully they can work something out. 10ense have, oh, yeah, because that's what it looks like is happening. I mean, yes, it's moving along. Tents have taken over a nearby baseball field in the barricade encampment along. The parkway has metal bars and wooden planks, which encampment residents set her to keep the police out. Residents say they are worried about their safety as they continue fighting for what they are calling safe housing without housing. It's people out here who develop mental issues,

drug abuse issues without adequate and safe housing. And that's what we're fighting for,

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