NJ Politicians Pass Controversial Gas Tax Increase

Pixels.com

Pixels.com

Maddie Somers, Staff Writer

Starting Tuesday, November 1st, the gas prices in New Jersey will increase by twenty- three cents, rising from 14.5 cents per gallon tax to 37.5 cents. This increase in gas will cause New Jersey to jump from the second lowest gas tax in the nation to the sixth highest. Despite the large increase, industry representatives still claim that it is cheaper to fill up in New Jersey than in its bordering states.

The increase in gas prices is due to New Jersey’s incapability to pay for transportation projects. Governor Chris Christie and the state’s legislature came to an agreement to raise the gas prices by twenty- three cents in order to help pay for these projects. This agreement not only affects drivers all around the state, but it also affects drivers from Pennsylvania and New York. Many of these residents took advantage of New Jersey’s low gas prices and would drive into the state just to get gas. However, Tracy Noble, a spokeswoman for AAA Mid- Atlantic, states that out- of- state drivers will still save ten to twenty- two cents a gallon when filling up their gas tanks in New Jersey.

The deal between Governor Christie and the legislature is an eight- year, $16 billion transportation trust fund. The deal was passed with bipartisan support, but on both sides there still remains an opposition from several lawmakers.