Senator Raymond Lesniak yesterday introduced legislation that would generate the resources needed to replenish the state’s Transportation Trust Fund with a three-year phase in of an increase in the gas tax, adding 10 cents the first and second years and five cents in the third year, for a total of 25 cents after three years. The plan would provide the resources to rebuild the state’s infrastructure with a “lockbox” on the funds guaranteeing the money is used solely to repair and rebuild highways, bridges and tunnels.
“The Trust Fund is all but broke, putting the state at risk of leaving its infrastructure prone to neglect and disrepair,” said Senator Lesniak, who serves as chairman of the Senate Economic Growth Committee. “Our transportation network is critical to the state’s economy as well as our quality of life. There is near universal agreement that a funding source is needed and a three-year phase in of the gas tax increase would cause less ‘sticker shock’ at the pump for motorists.”
Senator Lesniak noted that New Jersey now has the second-lowest gas tax in the country and that out-of-state motorists would pay approximately 35 percent of the tax increase for their use of New Jersey’s roads.
“We should put this legislation on the governor’s desk to give him the opportunity to do the right thing and sign it into law,” said Senator Lesniak, who said the plan previously endorsed by the governor was fiscally irresponsible because it would create a large, recurring budget gap. “If he doesn’t take advantage of the opportunity, the Legislature should work to override any veto. We need to keep up the pressure to advance this issue.”
[TLS]
Since when is 10 + 10 + 5 = 25?
To Akiva Greenebaum: Huh? I hope you are joking. 10 + 10 is 20. Add another 5 to that and you get……25!
So nice that it’s being phased in slowly, but:
a) it’s two cents more than the Governor’s original plan
b) there’s no sales tax reduction component
c) there’s still no guarentee that the money won’t be put into another slush fund to be raided by politicians.
I recently read that NJ has highest cost per mile to build/repair infrastructure – we’re doing nothing about that.
More taxes for us to pay without any oversight – we are such fools.
How about these lawmakers pay a little more to their pensions, health insurance, expenses, vacation day/sick day reduction.
They are determined to get this money. NO WAY
Senator Raymond Lesniak was one of the backers of the original Bill and we are supposed to trust him that it is $.25 in the end and not another bait and switch like the 12.5% was the last time? Is it guaranteed to go JUST to the Trust Fund to fix roads or are they going to use the money for light rail systems that nobody will use or give the money to NJ Transit where they spend $2 for each $1 they take in revenue?
I for one do not trust these Politicians to look out for anyone except themselves and their donors.
NO MORE TAXES!!!! Cut the spending on the pet projects these Politicians want to do for their friends.
We must elect NEW people to represent us!
This is rediculious were paying an extra 25 cents in gas i feel like im in the carupted state of new york wow this is really crazy hopefuuly it doesnt pass