CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – Gov. John Lynch is dropping efforts to keep the price of New Hampshire’s E-ZPass transponders at $5.

Lynch and the Executive Council set the price at $5, but the Legislature overruled them and ordered the price raised to the state’s cost – which is at least $24.

The price was supposed to go up Saturday, but Transportation Commissioner Carol Murray said last week she couldn’t implement the system on schedule and make all the changes needed to reflect the higher price.

Murray delayed the price hike until Aug. 3.

The devices are needed to pass through toll booths without stopping.

The delay didn’t please Republicans, especially Senate President Tom Eaton who criticized Murray and Lynch for breaking the law.

Murray later said she felt pressured by Lynch to try to find ways to keep the discount – though she said he did not intimidate or threaten her to break the law. Republicans then chastised Lynch for putting Murray in an ethically indefensible position.

Lynch spokeswoman Pam Walsh said Lynch did not pressure her and only wanted to continue promoting a highly successful program. Friday, Walsh said Lynch had reluctantly decided to let the price go up without further fighting.

Murray said Lynch came to her office Friday to make sure she had no more sleepless nights over the issue.

“He said we need to work together and that the success of the program is very important, but he doesn’t want the characterization that we’re not communicating,” Murray said.

Murray said she felt better afterward.

“He didn’t have to do it,” she said. “He could have called or ignored it. But he felt it was important to clear the air. He could have taken affront, but he was cordial.”