Community Corner
New Jersey Gas Tax Increase - Would Rocklanders Respond?
Take our poll-- would it change many Rockland County residents' habit of crossing the border for a fill-up?
By Tom Davis and Lanning Taliaferro
New Jersey is close to a big hike in gas taxes.
Find out what's happening in Nyack-Piermontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Gov. Chris Christie defended his proposed 23-cent gas tax hike for New Jersey drivers on Wednesday, saying the state is "out of money" to pay for bridge and road improvement.
Christie, whose plan passed the Assembly Tuesday and faces a Thursday Senate vote, called on the entire state Legislature to pass the proposal that includes a 1 percent reduction in the state sales tax, which critics say could blow a $1.7 billion hole in the budget.
Find out what's happening in Nyack-Piermontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Read more: N.J. Lawmakers Pass Christie-Backed 23-Cent Gas Tax Hike, Set To Take Effect Friday
The governor shot back at state Senate critics who ripped the plan, saying he "met the deadline" for replenishing the state's Transportation Trust Fund by July 1 and "now it's time for them to do the work" and pass it. Senate lawmakers say they prefer a proposal that would gradually phase out the state estate tax. That cut would cost about $120 million during the next fiscal year and $512 million by fiscal 2021, according to lawmakers.
New Jersey's gas price average was at $2.10 this week, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.
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