NJ Gas Tax Hike Will Go Into Effect Nov. 1
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has signed legislation hiking the state's gas tax by 23 cents to help pay for transportation projects.
The Republican signed the legislation on Friday, one week after the Democrat-led Legislature passed it.
The gas tax hike is set to go into effect Nov. 1.
"It's going to affect me a lot because I have to commute into Manhattan, as does my husband and he does that five days a week. So it's going to affect me a lot. I'm not happy at all," one woman told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall.
"We do need money to fix the roads, but I'm just wondering if there are other tax dollars that could be allocated so that we don't have to pay even more than we are already paying for gas," the woman said.
It's the first time since 1988 that New Jersey's gas tax is being raised. The change means the state will have the sixth-highest gas tax in the nation, up from 49th before. It would remain lower than neighboring New York and Pennsylvania.
The legislation also includes cuts to the sales and estate taxes. The gas tax increase will go toward an eight-year, $16 billion transportation funding program.
Christie on Friday also rescinded an executive order that shut down transportation projects in the state.
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