Mar 4, 2008 10:38 am US/Eastern
AP: NJ Senator Predicts 45 Percent Toll Increase
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) ―
-
-
Sen. Raymond Lesniak said he's been having extensive talks with fellow legislators looking for an alternative to Gov. Jon S. Corzine's (above) plan to significantly increase highway tolls to pay state debt and fund transportation.
AP
A key Democratic senator on Tuesday predicted that by year's end legislators will approve a 45 percent toll increase to fix toll roads and a gas tax increase to pay for statewide road, bridge and rail improvements.
Sen. Raymond Lesniak said he's been having extensive talks with fellow legislators looking for an alternative to Gov. Jon S. Corzine's plan to significantly increase highway tolls to pay state debt and fund transportation.
No legislators have backed Corzine's plan, and the Democratic governor has acknowledged changes will be made.
"We've had discussions and there's been an acknowledgment that we can't sweep this under the rug," said Lesniak, D-Union, who plans to sponsor legislation to solve state transportation funding problems.
Though nothing has been finalized, Lesniak said talks are focusing on:
- Holding public hearings on needed repairs and improvements on the state's toll roads, including widening the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike.
- Holding separate public hearings on needed repairs to highways, bridges and rail lines throughout the state.
Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri has said a 45 percent toll increase is needed to fix toll roads and repair bridges on them, and Lesniak predicted support for that increase.
"I don't think there's a lot of people who are going to be opposed to improvements to save lives," Lesniak said.
The state transportation fund is set to run out of money in 2011. Lesniak predicted it would be kept alive by three increases in the state's 14.5 cent per gallon gasoline tax. He said the increases could eventually boost the tax by 15 cents to 18 cents.
Corzine and other legislators have been hesitant about a gas tax increase, but Lesniak envisioned public support once hearings show the need for more highway, bridge and rail funding, including money for a new Hudson River rail tunnel.
"We have very intelligent residents in this state," Lesniak said. "They just want to know what they're paying for."
Lesniak said it would make sense to hold the hearings after the state budget is adopted around July 1.
Corzine has proposed increasing highway tolls 50 percent in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. The increases would include adjustments to reflect inflation. After 2022, tolls would increase every four years until 2085 to also reflect inflation.
Lesniak said a possibility is reducing such toll increases to 20 percent to pay down state debt, as Corzine has insisted must be done.
Lesniak's Tuesday comments to The Associated Press comes as Corzine prepares to the New Jersey chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, a 550-member group that represents many industrial, warehouse and distribution centers along the turnpike.
The association worries large turnpike toll hikes would devastate New Jersey businesses facing stiff competition from Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley.
As an alternative, the industrial developers back tolling Intestates 78 and 80, or putting tolls on Interstate 295 near the Delaware border and Interstate 287 near the New York border.
Lesniak said such a plan won't be approved.
"I can't imagine there would be any support," he said.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
2009 Celebrity Deaths
Click to enlarge
Schumer Said Public Option Can Pass Senate 30 mins ago 
Stumble It!
Comments