New Jersey May Soon Be Paying More At The Pump
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork)-- Drivers filling up in New Jersey may soon be paying more at the pump. More money is needed to alleviate a tanking state fund for road repairs, CBS2's Magdalena Doris reported.
Momadou Bah is an Uber driver in New York and fills up in New Jersey every time he gets a chance. A rise in gas prices would mean less money in his pocket.
"Very bad, it's no good," he said.
Salvador Adamo drives a limo and is experiencing the same thing. A proposed 23 cent tax hike on fuel has him wanting answers.
"Why should we pay 20 cents tax, for what?" he said.
Senate and Assembly proposals to increase the cost of gas; regular, diesel, and jet fuel, aim to relieve the deficit in the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund, which is used to keep state roads, mass transit, and infrastructure safe.
Legislators said the increase in gas tax would be offset by lower taxes for retired people relying on a pension, less inheritance tax, and the elimination of the estate tax.
Some drivers said they don't mind pitching in if it means better roads and tax relief for those who need it.
"To pay a little extra on tax on it, it doesn't affect me," Joe Berlingo, of Fort Lee, said.
While others feel the pinch on their pockets is unfair.
"By offsetting the cost of the motorists that go through? I don't know if I'm in favor of that," Phil Servider, of East Meadow, Long Island, said.
New Jersey Working Family Alliance said eliminating the estate tax is not a fair trade off, saying the estate tax only affects about 4,000 wealthy families a year, but provides a lot of funding for state programs.
Those who sponsor the proposal said out-of-state drivers buying gas in Jersey will also be pitching in if the 23 cent hike goes into effect, helping the state with safer roads and infrastructure.
Gas prices tend to be lower in New Jersey than anywhere else in the nation. The last time the state raised its gas tax was back in 1988.
