OT: Looks like gas is going up 23 cents a gallon in NJ
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There has been increased opposition as there should be. Which senators are pro?-we should be contacting them.
1) Any increase in gas prices hurts the poor who, even if they have cars, need all the gas money they can both for interviews and get their medcal/else assistance. General Assistance is $140 and only $90 AMONTH ($3.00 per day). In order to get off publc assistancre (1% cost NJ is on food stamps alone) people need decently paying 40 hour jobs. People need money for ther job search and that includes gas. 23 cents a gallon isnt much to most but to an indigent its a near death sentence. Personally I'm being houses (withj two masters degrees and two specialized licenses to the tune of $1,000+ per month at taxpayer expense plus assistance and food. I'm tryimg to look for work but am forced under requirements to attempt to get a psych (maybe physical later) diagnoses so that I can be cost shifted to the Federal level. All of thus started years ago due to a
bitchy social worker who wouldn't award training grants.
2) The publc transportation system (maybe I should say local) is horrible in many suburban areas. When I had my house in Bridgewater, I lost my car twice for 96 days and had to walk 6-7 miles round trip to an expensve A an P or Kings to use food benefts if I had no help.
In Somserset County the SCOOT busses ride 99.9% empty because of red tape. In Brdgewater there were no public busses within that same 3 miles or so of my house.
At 5 gallons Id be paying $1.15 more for gas. That's a good 12 miles less I have to travel for interviews. I AM in that position shortly/already to pick and choose trips (can't go to shore, long drives). That shouldn't be intervews.
Ive been shafted by the inheritance ta/es as much as anyone
However I believe at least non nuclear family members should pay such taxes.
The sales tax (besides increasing tolls)
are alternatives as well as cost cutting. At .least with the sales tax, one can choose to bypass luxury goods.
1) Any increase in gas prices hurts the poor who, even if they have cars, need all the gas money they can both for interviews and get their medcal/else assistance. General Assistance is $140 and only $90 AMONTH ($3.00 per day). In order to get off publc assistancre (1% cost NJ is on food stamps alone) people need decently paying 40 hour jobs. People need money for ther job search and that includes gas. 23 cents a gallon isnt much to most but to an indigent its a near death sentence. Personally I'm being houses (withj two masters degrees and two specialized licenses to the tune of $1,000+ per month at taxpayer expense plus assistance and food. I'm tryimg to look for work but am forced under requirements to attempt to get a psych (maybe physical later) diagnoses so that I can be cost shifted to the Federal level. All of thus started years ago due to a
bitchy social worker who wouldn't award training grants.
2) The publc transportation system (maybe I should say local) is horrible in many suburban areas. When I had my house in Bridgewater, I lost my car twice for 96 days and had to walk 6-7 miles round trip to an expensve A an P or Kings to use food benefts if I had no help.
In Somserset County the SCOOT busses ride 99.9% empty because of red tape. In Brdgewater there were no public busses within that same 3 miles or so of my house.
At 5 gallons Id be paying $1.15 more for gas. That's a good 12 miles less I have to travel for interviews. I AM in that position shortly/already to pick and choose trips (can't go to shore, long drives). That shouldn't be intervews.
Ive been shafted by the inheritance ta/es as much as anyone
However I believe at least non nuclear family members should pay such taxes.
The sales tax (besides increasing tolls)
are alternatives as well as cost cutting. At .least with the sales tax, one can choose to bypass luxury goods.
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Great post. I completely support an increase in the gas tax if it's used for the right things. People who don't "believe" in taxes/infrastructure/etc. would do well to read about "The Tragedy of the Commons." It was originally an essay from the 1830s about farming/grazing on common lands, but has been extended to any number of "common" resources, which can be destroyed/degraded without some sort of regulation, since the unregulated free market simply doesn't value such entities appropriately (way too much greed out there).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons
It won't be used for the right things, so your argument goes out the window with its first sentence.
Wish you the best. There are too many idiots that think no one deserve any benefits. People do run into rough times. All they do is think about themselves.
That's pretty much how he operates.
I didn't see that the money was spent on non-transportation projects. I thought the problem is that that state reduced appropriations (i.e., non-gas-tax appropriations) to the trust fund and instead had the trust fund issue bonds to cover transportation capital projects. But the money from the gas tax just barely covers the debt service on those bonds.
The funding for the transportation trust fund comes from sources that include more than just the gas tax. But with the state not providing those other funds, the existing gas tax is not enough. One solution is to increase the gas tax. Another solution is to re-allocate money from those other sources. Another solution is to just reduce money spent on transportation.
They used the money that was suppose to go to the fund for something else.
Everyone admits this. It is extremely important to note that nothing at all in this bill states that the gas tax increase can only go to the fund. Right now as it stands they can use it for whatever they want, they are just marketing it as fund to fix roads and bridges to try to trick people into being ok with it.
If the bill was changed so that 100% of the money went to the fund and could ONLY be used for roads and bridges most people who have an easier time with this tax.
I though all of R toll money covered this fund. Where is all that money wasted? Every second people drop .25- $4 at toll on the Parkway and Turnpike.
Like others here I think there is a lot of mismanagement and those monies will be wasted or stolen. Of course TV is showing the oft corrupt unions picketing in Trenton...
Like others here I think there is a lot of mismanagement and those monies will be wasted or stolen. Of course TV is showing the oft corrupt unions picketing in Trenton...
For what it's worth, the New Jersey Constitution limits use of money in the transportation fund to transportation-related projects. I am glad the sales tax/gas tax idea isn't working out.
Gotcha. I thought you were talking about taking money out of the fund and using it elsewhere, or taking existing gas tax money and using it elsewhere.
But you are correct, the fund has no money because non-gas-tax money that should have gone to the fund was used elsewhere.
Portland voters ( it was a ballot question, not an act of the city council) just narrowly approved a 10 cent hike in the gas tax. The tax increase has a sunset provision ( ends in 4 years) and the money can only be used in Portland for road repairs and pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. The tax is not uniform throughout the state and Portland now has the highest gas tax in the state. It should also be noted that there is no sales tax in the state of Oregon.
Well at least when the bridges collapse, we'll always have low taxes to pay for more things we will have no access to.
NJ should just follow the model of the US Congress, when you can't get everything you want just do nothing. The bridges will fix themselves.
NJ should just follow the model of the US Congress, when you can't get everything you want just do nothing. The bridges will fix themselves.
No, because the law is very clear on what it is supposed to be used for. If what you said was true and the money was being used for other things, you or I or anyone else could commence litigation and force the state to stop doing it.
http://www.state.nj.us/ttfa/about/legislation.shtm
If you are talking about the municipal allocation take that up with the towns. I am the first to say they abuse their power but again don't want the train tunnel under the Hudson to collapse. What happens when a collapse happens here? No one wants to answer.
I wonder if NIRH takes the train from JC to work every day?
It's easy to say, "you greedy Rs don't want to find any infrastructure" when the extent of your driving is to Rutgers games or down to Monmouth county to wash your clothes at your parents' house.
If you're worried about the train tube collapsing, your should tax train riders--starting with yourself. A path fare should be $37.50 until they have enough dough to upgrade the tunnels.
Yeah, didn't think so...
It's easy to say, "you greedy Rs don't want to find any infrastructure" when the extent of your driving is to Rutgers games or down to Monmouth county to wash your clothes at your parents' house.
If you're worried about the train tube collapsing, your should tax train riders--starting with yourself. A path fare should be $37.50 until they have enough dough to upgrade the tunnels.
Yeah, didn't think so...
we have used fuel surchages in the landscaping business when the gas prices were over 2.79
I haven't read through the whole thread since it started but sounds like the leading version was a Senate proposal which sounds like a better version IMO than this sales tax version that Christie tried to push through with the assembly. Sounds like they were even looking to amend the bill to speed up the phase out of the estate tax. Wasn't one of Christie's goals before to get rid of the estate tax?
From the article:
Lesniak said he still supports the Senate version, which would raise the gas tax 23 cents a gallon while gradually eliminating the estate tax, raising the retirement income tax exclusion, creating a tax deduction for charitable giving and increasing a tax credit for the working poor.
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ss...ore_holiday_weekend.html#incart_most-comments
From the article:
Lesniak said he still supports the Senate version, which would raise the gas tax 23 cents a gallon while gradually eliminating the estate tax, raising the retirement income tax exclusion, creating a tax deduction for charitable giving and increasing a tax credit for the working poor.
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ss...ore_holiday_weekend.html#incart_most-comments
This article explains why the gas tax needs to be raised ( but if not used for roads and bridges just another Trenton rip-off):
Why are New Jersey gas taxes so low? Republicans elected in the antitax landslide that toppled Democratic Gov. Jim Florio were reluctant to raise any tax, and Democratic Gov. Jim McGreevey rejected a proposal by a blue-ribbon commission to raise gas taxes by 12.5 cents per gallon in 2003. Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine avoided raising the gas tax for the FY2007-FY2011 Transportation Trust Fund by a series of fiscal maneuvers that extended the state’s bond repayment schedule to 32 years and dedicated all of the current 14.5-cent-per-gallon motor fuels tax to paying off that debt.
Christie then avoided raising the gas tax by cancelling the Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) rail tunnel and redirecting $3.1 billion in Port Authority and New Jersey Turnpike toll revenue originally earmarked for the tunnel to provide pay-as-you-go funding for TTF. It was Christie’s subsequent diversion of $1.3 billion in Turnpike tolls to balance his budget -- and his failure to provide $500 million in promised state pay-as-you-go revenues that made the TTF run out of money a year early. That’s why Christie and legislators are looking at raising motor-fuels taxes now.
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/09/23/explainer-how-does-new-jersey-tax-gasoline-sales/
Why are New Jersey gas taxes so low? Republicans elected in the antitax landslide that toppled Democratic Gov. Jim Florio were reluctant to raise any tax, and Democratic Gov. Jim McGreevey rejected a proposal by a blue-ribbon commission to raise gas taxes by 12.5 cents per gallon in 2003. Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine avoided raising the gas tax for the FY2007-FY2011 Transportation Trust Fund by a series of fiscal maneuvers that extended the state’s bond repayment schedule to 32 years and dedicated all of the current 14.5-cent-per-gallon motor fuels tax to paying off that debt.
Christie then avoided raising the gas tax by cancelling the Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) rail tunnel and redirecting $3.1 billion in Port Authority and New Jersey Turnpike toll revenue originally earmarked for the tunnel to provide pay-as-you-go funding for TTF. It was Christie’s subsequent diversion of $1.3 billion in Turnpike tolls to balance his budget -- and his failure to provide $500 million in promised state pay-as-you-go revenues that made the TTF run out of money a year early. That’s why Christie and legislators are looking at raising motor-fuels taxes now.
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/09/23/explainer-how-does-new-jersey-tax-gasoline-sales/
1, I take the bus, 2, I have a washer dryer, and 3, pretty sure a bunch of Rs supported including the governor and Wisniweski was against. Also, I have a shore house and I drive locally sometimes. But I do appreciate the concern.
PATH and NJT fares were already raised. NJ has the highest public transit costs in the US. Yet even after this gas tax, we wouldn't have the highest gas prices- surrounding states at least would still be higher.
If we built the MOM line I would have no benefit but your property value would increase.Yet I would not oppose it because I realize it's good for all of us. In fact I hope they build it, it would be good for the state in many, many ways.
Your mentality isn't an R mentality in NJ, really it's a regional mentality. Guess what, if god forbid one of the tunnels collapses, good luck driving on Route 9 or any local road, and we will all share the economic impact.
There is total bipartisan selfishness on this issue. I don't blame the Rs in NJ at all on this one. It's more a vote of who gets what, not an understanding that we all need functioning transportation for obvious reasons.
And just an FYI, I think most people in NJ are post party at the local level, given Christie's approval with Rs is poor and the Ds are close to a Sweeney-Prieto pay per view match.
So dramatic. And we if we take funding away from Abbott districts they'll collapse too, right? At what point do we say 'enough is enough' and demand accountability with how existing funds are (mis)allocated?
Maybe we can let the kids in the Abbott districts who don't want to learn build the roads? Win win.
I'd be all for it as long as 'prevailing wage' is not a part of that program. Then it truly would be a win-win.
Who said anything about pay? I was thinking summer intern program. Lol
Dont understand why the sales tax reduction would start in 2 years but the gas tax increase starts the next day? Glad to see the senate listened to its people for once
To get through the next election cycle (and give enough time for the masses to forget it was ever coming).
Actually, it's to get the gas tax passed and looking like they are offesting taxes another way. But, Christies will not have to deal with in his next budget.
Why didn't the Senate stick with their original version? Raise the gas tax, raise the estate tax exemption and give tax relief to retirees.
What is Christie up to?
Nobody is leaving this state because of the sales tax, but they are leaving because of the death taxes.
What is Christie up to?
Nobody is leaving this state because of the sales tax, but they are leaving because of the death taxes.
The Senate package gives $870 million in tax relief; the governor wants more. Lowering the sales tax gives $2 billion in tax relief, and he Senate is concerned about the size of the hole that creates in future state budgets..
Camden:
The Senate version would have a real effect on the future of this state. Keeping wealth in this state
should be a top priority.
The sales tax reduction will have no effect on whether people leave this state or not.
The Senate version would have a real effect on the future of this state. Keeping wealth in this state
should be a top priority.
The sales tax reduction will have no effect on whether people leave this state or not.
There should be lines drawn, but not on things like education and roads.
Here's a few ideas-
- Legalize marijuana
- Legalize prostitution in AC
- Abolish the Port Authority
- Mandate municipal consolidation
And the estate tax should be raised to 1M.
But, I am not myopic enough to demand that before fixing the roads. I don't want a bridge collapse here in NJ. The state cannot handle it.
Why are you jealous? Why the hate for old money? Just work hard and keep your head down.
Yeah, that comment doesn't make sense. I love old money as well and hope to pass along as much of it as possible to our child/family.
I have a chauffeur to do that. His majesty does not drive. (and I let her drive me at home too) LOL
I'm with you: If things don't change, I will probably leave sometime in my retirement. The estate tax has a particularly high percentage for the portion of the estate that just exceeds the $675,000 threshold. And, unlike the inheritance tax, it has no exemption for bequests to one's family (aside from one's spouse).
