O’SCANLON: BUT FOR HIS REFUSAL TO CONSIDER REPUBLICAN BUDGET PLAN, CORZINE WOULD NOT NEED TO LOOK AT “LAST RESORT” GAS TAX HIKE

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon responded to Governor Jon Corzine’s comments this morning that he would only consider a gas tax hike as a “last resort” by noting that Corzine was given a realistic alternative by Republicans in the Legislature and refused to consider the plan.

“It is encouraging to hear that the Governor recognizes New Jersey taxpayers can’t afford more taxes, but he is not being straightforward when he claims there may be no other choice but to raise the gas tax,” said O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth. “Republicans offered more than a billion dollars in potential budget savings and suggested dedicating $500 million of those savings toward transportation funding.”

Corzine today, during an appearance on Fox 29’s “Good Day Philadelphia” morning program said that raising New Jersey’s gas tax should be, “a very, very last resort,” adding that he thinks it is “a bad idea right now to put more burdens on individuals.”

O’Scanlon, a member of the Assembly Budget Committee, pointed out that Republicans proposed a constitutional amendment that permanently dedicates $500 million of motor vehicle fees annually in support of transportation programs, a move made possible by the budget savings identified by Republicans. The permanent dedication of $500 million would be enough, in conjunction with existing constitutionally dedicated revenues, to provide for an annual $1.9 billion transportation program through at least 2014.

“There is an alternative to increasing the gas tax and all it involves is exercising common sense, fiscal discipline,” O’Scanlon said. “If the Governor ends up advocating for a gas tax hike and claims it was his “last resort” I am certain New Jersey taxpayers will not be fooled into believing there were no other choices.”

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