The Gas Tax Hike Cometh
Sep. 23
By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog
As recently as March, Save Jerseyans, Governor Chris Christie said gas tax hikes were off the table.
He strongly opposed a proposal from Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-20, Union) earlier in the year which would’ve raised the gas tax by 15 cents over 3 years.
But I warned you earlier this week how the pending confirmation of Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner-designate Jamie Fox could signal a change in thinking, or at least tactics.I take no pleasure in being right. Trust me. I’ll be paying right along side you at the next pump. So enjoy our run of cheap gas (which is attracting drivers to NJ… when does that every happen?) while it lasts…
According to multiple reports, a bipartisan agreement to raise the gas tax between 15 cents and 20 cents or, alternatively, hike the petroleum products gross receipts tax (paid by refineries and distributors) is moving forward behind closed doors. Or some combination of the two. Whatever. Fox, who presumably discussed these issues with Gov. Christie’s team at length, is echoing his support of a gas tax back during the McGreevey Administration by declaring “[n]othing is off the table.”
It damn well should be!
Believe it or not, New Jerseyans enjoy the third lowest gas tax in the United States. A 15 cent tax would’ve added, on average, $230 to the cost of driving every New Jersey car each year. This is on top of Parkway and Turnpike tolls doubling since 2008. At what point does flying or driving (or swimming) around New Jersey make more sense than paying out the rear end to drive through it?
https://savejersey.com/2014/09/gas-tax-christie-new-jersey-fox-transportation-fund/
Tax may not be popular but if the monies are going to maintain roads and bridges then there should be no complaints.
Don’t forget that commuter tax benefits (Section 132 of the Internal Revenue Code) have been cut as well for those of us taking the train or bus from $245 per month in 2013 to $130 a month in 2014…. You still qualify for $250 for parking if you drive, but that doesn’t go very far in Manhattan which would also include tolls, vehicle maintenance & insurance and gas/electricity as well… federal taxes went up, too.
The ‘dedicated’ funds are always raided by the politicians to balance budgets.
If they raise the gas tax, a provision must be inserted that allows the LOW bidder to get the job, and remove the ‘union only’ provision of state contracts.
We have the funds, but it probably costs NJ at least double per mile to renovate or build since the high union wages are the rule here.
I’d like to see how much per mile it costs to build a road here vs a ‘right to work’ state like SC or AL.
Well… cars are inherently EVIL so they should be taxed.
The “EVILNESS” of the car (and its driver – of course) is directly proportional to its gas consumption. Bigger, more gas guzzling cars should be punished more than other good, kind Earth loving vehicles.
#4 said I’d like to see how much per mile it costs to build a road here vs a ‘right to work’ state like SC or AL.
Move there then. Don’t forget to write to us to let us know how much of a drop in your standard of living is because you moved to a second rate state.
Hey dummy, inflated union wages don’t mean a better road, it means we get a LOT LESS than what we should for our money.
Your ignorance is showing #7 The state, County and N.J. municipalities don’t build roads, they send out requests for bids and contractors bid on the project. It called competition, you should try it sometime. You likely work for a monopoly and have no idea what competition is, Dummy.
Hey DUMBSHIT, the state requires bidder to be UNION SHOPS.
Get it now moron?
WRONG AGAIN!
No it doesn’t all that is required is that the employer meets the NJ Labor standards and pay a minimum wage set by the state.
Get it now Ass wipe?
Union employers are the ones who meet that” standard” and get the job. PERIOD.
Get it now ‘potty mouth’?
You’re just another shit-breath no brain union lackey trying to justify your pay.