New N.J. Gas Tax Hike Plan Introduced As Roadwork Shutdown Continues

A new gas tax hike plan has been introduced as New Jersey lawmakers work to break a deadlock that has led to a statewide construction project shutdown.

Sen. Raymond Lesniak has introduced a plan that would phase in a 25-cent-per- gallon gas tax over three years as a way to fund the nearly broke Transportation Trust Fund.

The plan would begin with a 10-cent-per-gallon hike in each of the first two years. The last year would have a 5-cent-per-gallon hike to support the fund that pays for state transportation projects.

Read more: Christie Freezes Roadwork After Gas Tax Hike Delayed Long Past July 4

“The Trust Fund is all but broke, putting the state at risk of leaving its infrastructure prone to neglect and disrepair,” Lesniak, a Democrat in Union, said in a news release.

Gov. Chris Christie, who supported a 23-cent gas tax hike attached to a 1 percent sales tax cut, has shut down all state transportation projects until lawmakers agree on a plan that he'll accept.

Read more: $3.5B In N.J. Road Projects To Shut Down Friday: See The List Here

Others, such as Senate President Steve Sweeney, have proposed a 23-cent gas tax hike but no sales tax cut. The governor's office and Sweeney's office had not yet responded to calls for comment as of press time.

Lesniak, who is chairman of the Senate Economic Growth Committee, said the state's transportation network is "critical to the state’s economy as well as our quality of life."

"There is near universal agreement that a funding source is needed and a three-year phase in of the gas tax increase would cause less sticker shock at the pump for motorists," he said.