New Jersey Senators Hope to Repeal Fuel-Tax Hikes

Just six days after New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed the compromise gas-tax legislation into law, two of his fellow Republicans introduced a bill on Oct. 20 to repeal it.

“Legislators who supported the gas-tax increase see the momentum building behind our repeal effort, and they’re worried,” said Sen. Kip Bateman, noting that more than 14,000 people had signed the online petition that he and Sen. Mike Doherty are promoting. “They’re feeling the pressure and grumbling behind the scenes for us to stop. That’s a sign that our online petition effort is working and that our efforts on behalf of taxpayers to repeal the gas-tax increase are not in vain.”

Five of the Senate’s 16 Republicans, led by co-sponsor Steve Oroho, voted for the tax cuts, as did seven of the 28 Republicans in the Assembly. The legislation was the first increase that Christie has signed during his seven years as governor.

After they were stuck at 14.5 cents per gallon for gasoline and 17.5 cents per gallon for diesel since 1988, New Jersey’s taxes will rise to 37.5 cents and 31.5 cents, respectively, on Nov. 1. The diesel tax will go up 13 cents more per gallon on July 1.

“People are apoplectic when they hear that the new law allows for automatic gas-tax increases each and every year,” Doherty said. “… Our petition gives those who are outraged the opportunity to make a real difference in the effort to repeal the gas tax increase.”