Kean: Corzine is Right, New Jerseyans are Overtaxed

By John Gorman

Calls On Governor to Convene a Special Summer Session to Address Transportation Funding

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21) is calling on Governor Jon Corzine to convene a special summer session of the Legislature to address much-needed transportation funding:

"A special session should be convened this summer to identify $500 million of savings that can be used immediately to shore up the transportation fund without increasing taxes or tolls, " Kean stated. "I agree with the Governor when he says New Jersey residents are overtaxed and shouldn't be asked to pay one penny more for their gas by way of a tax increase."

In published reports, Governor Corzine is quoted to have said "I think it's a bad idea right now to put more burdens on individuals" in regard to increasing the gas tax. However, New Jersey's transportation trust fund is scheduled to run out of money in Fiscal Year 2011 and new funding probably will be needed in the next few months to prepare for planned projects.

"The transportation funding problem is not going away, " Kean continued. "We need to lock in a stable funding source to ensure our roads, bridges, and tunnels remain safe."

"Last month, the Republican members of the Legislature provided a detailed list of $1.3 billion in savings, some of which could have been used to stabilize the transportation trust fund, " Kean concluded. "I would welcome the opportunity to work with Governor Corzine and Democratic lawmakers to come up with a plan that cuts wasteful and bloated programs, and uses the savings to fund vital transportation needs."

JOHN GORMAN can be reached via email at jgorman@njleg.org.

Related topics: Corzine, Kean, Gas Tax, toll hike, Transportation Trust Fund

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