New Jersey to Hike Gas Taxes?

A bipartisan plan to pay for road and bridge work for the next 10 years that has come under fire for hiking New Jersey’s gas tax by 23 cents per gallon is expected to undergo its first legislative test. The Assembly Budget Committee is scheduled to weigh the proposal on Thursday. An identical measure has been introduced in the state Senate. Authority to borrow for new road and bridge projects runs out on July 1 for the state’s $1.6 billion transportation trust fund. Republican Gov. Chris Christie has said he won’t support the plan because it doesn’t represent “tax fairness” for voters. He hasn’t outlined his own plan, but the Democrat-led Legislature has included several tax cuts, including phasing out the estate tax, aimed at winning support.