By Tuesday, strongeditorials in the Ledger and Asbury Park Press had denounced the proposal, calling it respectively a “stunt that...smacks ofimage-building” and an inexplicable “campaign stunt” by the Republicanex-candidate.  The papers said the movewould provide no real respite from Parkway traffic problems and would benefitout-of-state holiday travelers over the daily commuter.  On Wednesday, a spokesperson from theGovernor's office announced DiFrancesco was no longer pursuing the July 4thgoal, telling reporters that a toll-free day was “far more complicated” thanoriginally imagined.

     The centraldifficulties mirror in miniature the challenges facing the movement to removetolls from the Parkway for good: substantial loss of revenue, oppositionfrom labor, and the potential to create even worse traffic jams bydrawing more drivers to the highway. The Acting Governor and gubernatorial candidates would do well to takethe events of last week as a cautionary tale as they pursue practical andsustainable solutions to Parkway toll boothback-ups.