Jul 2, 2008 1:38 pm US/Eastern
N.J. Gov. Warns Of Tough Transportation Choices
FORT LEE, N.J. (AP) ―
New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine knows people aren't going to like it, but he insisted Wednesday the state has to find more money for transportation work.
Speaking on Fox 29 television in Philadelphia, Corzine again expressed hesitancy about increasing the gas tax, deeming it "a very, very last resort."
"I'm not anxious to move forward with a gas tax," Corzine said. "I really think we've got to find another way."
New Jersey has the nation's third lowest gas tax at 14.5 cents per gallon. Some legislators have proposed increasing it by as much as 18 cents to pay for transportation.
But the state's average gas price was $3.988 per gallon Wednesday, compared to $2.817 a year ago, according to AAA.
"I think it's a bad idea right now to put more burdens on individuals," Corzine said.
The governor said he's exploring options.
Earlier this year he proposed toll increases but that lacked public and legislative support.
Corzine hasn't said what a new plan would involve, but he hasn't ruled out lesser toll increases and trying to add tolls on free highways.
Senate President Richard J. Codey, D-Essex, has proposed allowing private developers to construct lanes alongside parts of the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. Drivers would pay more to use the lanes, which in theory would be less congested.
"We've got to come up with a plan," Corzine said. "It's not to going to be something that people are going to like because there's nothing but tough choices if we actually want to do anything."
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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