The Black Ministers Council of NJ endorsed Governor Whitman's call for a gas tax hike, accepting the Governor's arguments that the increase would mean projects and better transportation for cities.

Legislative leaders in Trenton have said they are unwilling to push the 4-cent gas tax hike provision they have agreed to with the Governor onto the November ballot for consideration by voters without solid backing from Democrats.

Governor Whitman was in Hudson County last week seeking the support of Bayonne Mayor and State Assembly Minority Leaders Joseph Doria. The Governor said the Hudson-Bergen light rail project "could be in jeopardy" if the gas tax increase is not approved. The claim is bogus, because New Jersey has already entered into agreements with the federal government and the rail line's builder/operator to complete the project.

She also said upgrades to the Bergen, Main and Pascack Valley NJ Transit commuter rail lines were "at risk," although at least part of the Bergen-Main upgrade is also part of a funding pact with the Federal Transit Administration.

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign has pressed the Whitman Administration to include spending criteria in any gas tax increase that would ensure that transportation investments in NJ really do benefit cities and avoid promoting ex-urban sprawl development. So far, the administration has refused to consider even the idea of spending controls or guidelines, and strong indications abound that, with the exception of some increase for NJ Transit, NJ's transportation leaders are looking ahead to business as usual. In recent years, that has meant heavy suburban and ex-urban road building and neglect of infrastructure maintenance.

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The Whitman Administration announced this week that NJ Transit fares would not increase this year. It is the eighth straight year without a fare hike.

See information related to this article:

• Click here to see the Campaign's position on Gov. Whitman's gas tax proposal and NJDOT capital budget