Backers of Public Question #2 Say It’s Only Way to Make Sure Gas Tax Goes to TTF

Over the past three decades New Jersey voters have approved several ballot questions that have protected revenue raised from state fuel taxes from being used for anything other than transportation projects. Now, in the wake of the unpopular 23-cent gas-tax increase that went into effect today, voters are being asked to do so again. One of… Read the rest of this entry »

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Christie and Guadagno Split Over Ballot Question 2

Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno photo via NJ.gov

Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno is speaking her own mind and getting establishing independence from Governor Chris Christie.

Guadagno went onto Bill Spadea’s morning radio show at NJ 101.5 and agreed with Spadea that voters should reject ballot question 2, the provision that would dedicate the new gas tax revenues to transportation projects.  Spadea and Guadagno are arguing that the dedication of the revenue will allow Trenton to borrow billions  of dollars to fund the projects.

Before Guadagno completed her segment on the show, Christie’s spokesman Brian Murray issued the following statement:

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DiMaso: No Gas Tax Price Gouging in Monmouth County

Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso announced today that the County Division of Weights and Measures, which she oversees, is on the look-out for unscrupulous gas stations that are raising their prices on the news that New Jersey Gas Tax has been increased by $.23 per gallon.

The new Trenton money grab does not go into effect until November 1.

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Doherty’s long term support for the gas tax increase, toll hikes and other profitable ventures

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty, a candidate for Monmouth County Freeholder, is a long term supporter of the gas tax increase that is up for a vote in the State Legislature on Friday.

In 2014, Doherty wrote a letter endorsing the work of Foward New Jersey, a coalition of unions and other special interest groups who will collect the $2 million per mile construction costs that the $.23 per gallon gas tax  will fund. Forward New Jersey has been lobbying for the gas tax increase for almost two years and is waging a social media campaign to counter the grass-roots opposition to the tax increase as you are reading this article.  Doherty’s letter can be found here.

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Votes by N.J. lawmakers on 23-cent gas tax hike deal stalled until Friday

TRENTON — Planned votes on measures to raise the gasoline tax 23 cents a gallon to raise money for road improvements and cut $1.4 billion in taxes were put off two days after proponents ran into a procedural hurdle in the state Senate on Wednesday. Senators said Wednesday the upper chamber was short the 30 votes… Read the rest of this entry »

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Christie makes Gas Tax increase deal with Sweeney and Prieto

file photo

Governor Chris Christie, Senate President Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Prieto announced a deal to replenish the Transportation Trust Fund with a $.23 per gallon gas tax increase this afternoon in Trenton.

In a press release from his office, Christie touted off setting tax decreases in the deal–“tax fairness”– which he said will more than compensate for the gas tax increase.

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Christie, Democrats take another stab at ending N.J. road funding crisis

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie has resumed talks with Democratic legislative leaders in another attempt to end a stalemate over transportation funding that prompted a statewide road construction shutdown heading into its third month. Christie met with Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) on Monday, and will meet with Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester), as well this… Read the rest of this entry »

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O’Scanlon addresses his critics regarding his declining to vote on the Assembly gas tax bill

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, the Republican Budget Officer in the Assembly and a representative of northern Monmouth County in the lower house of the legislature has taken some criticism here in the MMM comments and on facebook for not voting on the Transportation Trust Fund bill that was sprung on the Assembly by Speaker Vincent Prieto and Governor Chris Christie in the middle of the night on June 30.  The bill, which would have increased the gas tax by $.23 per gallon and lowered the state sales tax from 7% to 6% passed in the Assembly and was never voted on by the Senate.

Now almost six weeks later with the TTF still not renewed and road projects stalled throughout the state, O’Scanlon said that he believes “even more strongly that my decision was exactly the right one.”

O’Scanlon issued the following statement to MMM to explain his decision not to vote on the Assembly TTF bill:

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N.J. gas tax deal goes through committee, but still won’t get past Christie

TRENTON — In the ongoing road funding battle, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on Friday advanced legislation raising the tax on gasoline sold in New Jersey by 23 cents and offering tax breaks to seniors, veterans and the working poor. But the vote — 8-4 with one abstention — could be in vain if Democrats… Read the rest of this entry »

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With transportation funding negotiations deadlocked, County has plan to restart Shark River dredging

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone said he will announce a plan to restart the Shark River dredging project Wednesday morning at the Shark River Marina in Neptune Township.

The project, which had restarted on schedule on July 1 was halted at midnight on July 8 when Governor Christie’s executive order halting projects funded by the Transportation Trust Fund took effect.

The legislature failed to pass TTF funding with a $.23 per gallon gas tax on June 30th. The Senate’s plan was to increase the gas tax while phasing out the estate tax and reducing income taxes on retirees.  Christie and the Assembly agreed on a bill that would have raised the gas tax and reduced the sales tax from 7% to 6%.  Senate President Steve Sweeny and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto agreed to pass a revised version of the Senate’s original bill last week.  Yesterday, Christie said the Democrats plan is “dead on arrival.”

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