TRENTON– The state Legislature on Thursday will start to contemplate payments that would increase taxes on gasoline by 23 cents a gallon whereas reducing or eliminating taxes on estates and some earnings, a deal that has help and opposition cross occasion strains.
Lawmakers in both the Senate and Assembly launched the legislation Monday, looking for to tack a 12.5 percent tax onto the state’s 14.5 cent motor fuels and petroleum tax with the intention to spend $20 billion over the next 10 years on infrastructure improvements.
The Transportation Trust Fund expires at the end of the month and as running out of cash for brand spanking new projects.
Lawmakers introduce 23-cent hike in gasoline tax
Listed below are 9 things that you must know about New Jersey’s traditionally low gasoline tax:
1. The first New Jersey fuel tax was 2 cents a gallon, and took impact in 1927.
2. The final time the gas tax was increased was 1988. The 28-12 months hole since that last enhance is the longest in state history.
Three. The 14.5 cent gas tax is now 49th in the U.S., with solely Alaska being lower. If the 12.5 % enhance is enacted, New Jersey would have the seventh-highestgas tax. But as a result of the tax is dependent upon the price of gasoline, the Garden State could move up or down on that listing.
Four. The 14.5 cent gas tax is made up of a 10.5-cent per gallon tax on motor fuels and a four cent Petroleum Merchandise Gross Receipts Tax. Most of the income from these taxes is already dedicated to the belief fund, however voters will likely be requested this fallto constitutionally dedicate all existing and future gasoline tax income.
5. Gov. Tom Kean arrange the Transportation Belief Fund as self-sustaining by limiting how much governors could borrow to permit debt to be paid off so it could be perpetually replenished. Governor after governor sabotaged that by increasing the borrowing and never growing the supply of money going into the fund. Proper now, all that’s left is debt.
6. Gov. Christie Whitman as soon as proposed raising the fuel tax — with among the proceeds to pay for open space preservation.
7. According to a state senator, New Jersey has almost 7 million licensed drivers who would get hit with an increase. Officials have said wherever from 20 to forty % of the gasoline tax is paid by out-of-state motorists.
Eight. Gov. Chris Christie’s opponents cost that his controversial resolution to cancel a rail tunnelunder the Hudson River to New York early in his time period was motivated by a desire to grab funds to pay for brand spanking new Jersey road projects and avoid elevating the gasoline tax.
9. The gasoline tax is projected to generate about $750 million this yr, and a 23-cent improve would add one other $1.4 billion a year. Jersey motorists dwelling close to state borders would have a little relief. Gasoline would nonetheless cost extra in New York and Pennsylvania, however would be cheaper in Delaware.
Samantha Marcus could also be reached [email protected]. Observe her on Twitter@samanthamarcus. FindNJ.com Politics on Facebook.
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