"Increase New Jersey’s gas tax," was the consensus in New Jersey last week. At an Alliance for Action forum focused on refueling the Transportation Trust Fund, which will zero out in 2006, Assemblyman John Wisniewski, Assembly Transportation Committee Chair, the Utility and Transportation Contractors Association, and AAA New Jersey expressed support. Later in the week, the Star Ledger said that even a "12.5 cent increase would provide little more than basic repair." The paper called for a Trust Fund renewal that provides sufficient transportation dollars for at least 10 years, and suggested indexing the gas tax to inflation, so drivers get predictability, rather than large, sudden increases. The Trenton Times expressed the need for bipartisan support for a higher gas tax.

At the Alliance for Action forum, U.S. Senator and gubernatorial candidate Jon Corzine called for an honest dialogue that educated voters up front on how and where the new gas tax revenue would be spent. Acting Governor Codey has indicated he would deal with the issue in the fall’s lame duck session.

With transportation leaders railing on Governor Pataki, he may also propose another method to raise transportation revenue, other than the small tax hikes listed in his January budget. Transit advocates, planning groups, and MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow have suggested a range of possible sources, including increasing the gas tax, raising various business taxes, or implementing East River bridge tolls or a commuter tax. 

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