Manhattan borough President Scott Stringer's proposal to bring back a tax for suburbanites who commute to work in New York City got a cold greeting on Tuesday from the other side of the Hudson.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said the idea was "penny-wise and pound-foolish" and would hurt the region's economy.

Mr. Christie, a Republican, noted that the city's current mayor is Michael Bloomberg. Mr. Stringer, a Democrat, is considered a leading candidates for New York's mayor in the 2013 election.

"I'm sure we'll have conversations with Mayor Bloomberg and he'll understand that those types of border wars are things that we should attempt to avoid because it doesn't make any sense for New York's economy," Mr. Christie said.

New York lawmakers eliminated the commuter tax in 1999. The tax had been in place for 33 years.

—Associated Press