NJ residents are divided on idea of a gas tax hike

For months, New Jersey officials have been talking about an increase in the state gas tax, to save the Transportation Trust Fund from going bankrupt this summer. So far, no plan has been presented.

Even with prices at the pump continuing to drop dramatically, Garden State residents seem split on the idea.

One shopper in Mercer County shook his head when asked about the concept.

"In this state? No, I think the taxes are enough in New Jersey," he said. "I think they could do a better job with the state budget, overall, to help defer those costs. There's no reason to push them over to the taxpayer."

Another nearby shopper chimed in.

"Because it's dropping, why would you tax it more?" the person asked. "Give us a break, we're already high-taxed on everything! I'm opposed to any type of tax hike, period."

Others felt a gas tax increase at this time would be acceptable.

"There's a lot of transportation infrastructure that has been underfunded and needs to be fixed," said one shopper. "There's a lot of bridges, a lot of roads we haven't been funding very well. If somebody is going to say, 'We don't have the money to fix that,' then it's going to fall apart, and then a lot of people that don't have nice cars aren't going to be able to get where they need to go."

Yet another passerby offered their opinion.

"I think a long-term solution is some infrastructure changes, so I think we have to take advantage of the lower gas prices to get the gas tax," that person said. "The roads are terrible, the bridges are terrible, so that seems reasonable."

A few New Jerseyans admitted they were either confused or still hadn't made up their minds.

"I haven't really thought about that yet," said one woman. "I need to consider it more."

Another shopper said taxes are already high, but the roads are crumbling.

"I don't really know," she said. "I'm kind of waving back and forth. I'm not sure which!"