Sen Beck: Public Massively Opposes New Gas Tax
Senator Jennifer Beck renewed her opposition to a $.23 per gallon hike on the New Jersey gas tax and said that the deal struck between Governor Chris Christie, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto is a recycled version of previous legislation that thousands of New Jersey drivers rallied against.
“Residents, drivers and commuters rallied against this $2 billion gas tax plan the first time it was proposed in June,” said Beck. “Offering a recycled plan that tinkers around the edges doesn’t change the fact that the public massively opposes a 23 cent per gallon gas tax hike. I will continue to stand up and fight for the vast majority of the people of New Jersey who oppose this tax increase.”
The legislation to boost the sale tax is scheduled to be voted upon in the legislature on Wednesday, October 5 and is expected to go into effect immediately, meaning New Jersey drivers could see at .$23 bump at the pump as early as Thursday morning. In addition to raising the gas tax, the legislation phases out the estate tax, reduces income taxes on retirement income, increases the earned income tax credit for the working poor and phases in a 3/8% reduction in the sales tax.
The gas tax increase will be locked in long term. Even Republican legislators who say they support the legislation because of the tax decreases privately acknowledge that the Democrats will likely repeal the tax decreases and raise other taxes after the next gubernatorial election.
Related story: Christie makes Gas Tax increase deal with Sweeney and Prieto
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Gotta give it to the politician that Beck is. Beck is certainly looking out for Beck seeing he sentiment of the people not only in her district, but in the state as well.
Looks like there is going to be huuuuge Republican casualties across this state thanks to Christie
This would be a first that she defies her friend and political ally Chris Christie.
However, the damage has been done to Beck in siding with Christie over the years. She never overrode one veto of the governor, even when it meant supporting her original Bill. Case in point: The Port Authority Reform and Transparency Bill.
Beck failed to provide transparency and overhaul to an Agency that through the sordid revelations of Bridgegate operatives, shows an agency rife with corruption, and patronage. Matter of fact, King Christie even authorized 5-years’ of built in toll increases to pay for the created position of David Wildstein and even one of Beck’s legislative workers. I don’t recall Jen saying anything about that. I don’t even recall Jen even saying that tying traffic up was wrong either.
Sorry Jen, too little to late. But thanks for the objection of the Gas Tax. I just wish all the other Republican legislators would have done the same.
Imagine what gas will go up to here in NJ now, if the witch gets in, and decimates our ability to mine and refine our own oil and gas! Back to $ 4-5 per gallon, easily- oh, and we’ll back to being dependent on countries that hate us/ want to take us down. Glad the senator has tried to fight this new, outrageous burden on NJ residents and tax paying commuters, but the entire GOP in the district, county, and state had better get off their lukewarm duffs, ( not one positive word to the crowd about our front- runner at the freeholder dinner,) and more strongly encourage voters to elect Trump- or we will be among the most damaged of the states!
$100 per hour is crazy for a minimum wage…
Don’t collect more money until it is spent in the interest of taxpayers.
Every State project requires payment of union scale prevailing wage rates that are set beyond reason and are a big part of why NJ runs out of more for transportation projects.
NJ forces bidding on transportation and other projects to include about $100 per hour based on prevailing wage law. This is not in taxpayer interests.
Eliminating the prevailing wage would allow more projects to be funded. It would reduce unemployment in NJ, especially our cities.
At the very lease a “circuit-breaker” law allowing non union bids to be accepted if the bid was at lease 20% lower would solve a lot of the problem too.
When the money is spent wisely, we should discuss what is a fair tax burden.