NJ Gas Tax UP 23 Cents Overnight

image courtesy of Google Images

image courtesy of Google Images

Effective Tuesday, November 1, 2016, NJ residents, including South students who drive,  will be paying 23 cents more for a gallon of gasoline. The tax hike moves NJ from the 49th to the 6th highest tax on gasoline in the nation. Republican governor, Chris Christie, along with the Democratic-controlled Legislature agreed to raise the gas price because “The state has ran out of money for transportation projects.” The Transportation Trust Fund was the original source of income to pay for the $2 billion dollar plan. Senator Paul Sarlo and Senator Steve Oroho issued the following statement “We’re going to put people back to work expanding, repairing and improving the quality and safety of our roads, bridges and mass transit systems. It is a dedicated, long-term solution to our transportation infrastructure crisis that will provide the needed funding for at least eight years.” The money in the TTF was used to pay off state debt and other projects instead of solely transportation purposes, resulting in a lack of money to provide for this new transportation project.  Recently, one of New Jersey’s most notable features was its low gas prices. Not anymore.