The gas tax appears to have the support needed to pass Friday in the Senate. Could public pressure change any minds, or did Wednesday just delay the inevitable?
If out-of-state drivers stop buying as much gas in New Jersey once the tax increases, it could push the hike above 23 cents. Lower sales would mean a higher tax.
Drivers will apparently get at least a two-week reprieve before a 23-cent hike in the gas tax goes into effect. Legislature expected to vote on plan Wednesday.
There are any number of reasons legislators and policy groups oppose the 23-cent-per-gallon gas tax hike. They argue it's unfair to residents and blows a hole in the budget.
Gas taxes in New Jersey will probably be 23 cents a gallon higher by this time next week. The governor and legislative leaders agreed to that as well as cuts in sales and estate taxes.
An assemblyman says the state should borrow $3.2 billion for two years of roadwork, then try again to hike the gas tax in 2018. Stop punting, say critics.
Roadwork shuttered will cost extra once it’s eventually restarted, and an Assembly panel says the state should pay for that, not municipalities and counties.
Gov. Chris Christie met separately this week with both of the Legislature’s top Democrats, as the impasse that has shuttered state-funded transportation construction enters its third month.
With the Legislature about to return to Trenton after the summer slowdown, a top Republican lawmaker who may run for governor is urging an ambitious agenda.