A Gas Tax Musing
Rosalie Avin
In 2016, Chris Christie raised our gas taxes 23 cents on the gallon. It was “HUGE” and not in the President Trump, positive way. The people of New Jersey were angered once again by Christie’s brazen disregard for the middle class. He had shown his apathy by playing with the pensions of state employees including teachers and the police. He flaunted it by refusing to negotiate contracts in a timely fashion. The one reason this tax was accepted was the governor’s promise that the money would be directed towards infrastructure. Our roads, tunnels and bridges were in disrepair therefore the taxpayer would finance the renewal.
Christie did not keep his word. As I drove on major routes like the Garden State, I often wondered, “Where did that money go?”
It has been suggested that Kim Guadagno did not win the election because conservative middle- class voters in Jersey associated her with that governor who never kept any promise.
In 2018, Governor Murphy raised our gas tax an additional 4.3 cents. He deemed it necessary because there were fewer drivers. He intimated that this would not be the last hike. Here again he promised that the money would be dedicated to changing our roads. In a way he did.
That continuous unnecessary Salting has left our major thoroughfares more dangerous than ever. Pot holes riddle each lane. Roads that were repaired last year were done so poorly the seams are cracking. The Garden State Parkway is a mess.
As the thaw approaches the situation worsens. I drive wondering if this pothole will cause a flat or that one will cost me a wheel alignment. I drive pondering the same question I have for the past three years. “Where did the money go?” New Jersey drivers are paying close to thirty cents on the gallon and I would like an accounting. The people of this state need transparency and more importantly, we need ACTION.
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Everyone who cares about this needs to press these tax and spenders in this state, and demand an accounting! All I have gotten so far is: we’ve paid off old bonds. It is just disgusting!