KARROW: WHEN WILL IT END? FIRST CORZINE HIKES TOLLS, NOW HINTS AT GAS TAX INCREASE

In response to a media report today in which Governor Jon Corzine strongly hinted that a gas tax hike is on the horizon, Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow said the governor clearly does not understand the pain and suffering the state’s economic crisis is causing New Jersey residents.

“Either multimillionaire Corzine doesn’t care or he absolutely does not understand that families really are losing their homes, bread winners are losing their jobs and businesses are going bankrupt, said an exasperated Karrow, R-Hunterdon and Warren. “Then again, this is a governor who is doing his best to blame the state’s fiscal mess on the national recession.

"Make no mistake, our economic crisis is not the result of the Wall Street meltdown,” she continued. “This pot has been on a slow boil for the past seven years. The governor and Democrats created it with too much taxing, spending and borrowing. It’s nonsense to suggest, as he is, that we can tax, spend and borrow our way out of it, yet Governor Corzine has been and continues to be relentless in his efforts to do that.”

Karrow said the last thing New Jersey families need is another tax increase on top of the 103 taxes Corzine and Democrats imposed since 2003 and which would come on the heels of a recent massive toll increase which the governor fought so hard for.

After vehement public and legislative opposition killed Corzine’s first two toll hike schemes, the governor circumvented the people and the Legislature in October 2008 and had toll increases for the Garden State Parkway, Turnpike and Atlantic City Expressway approved directly by the boards who control the toll road authorities. Those toll hikes took effect in December.

In a Philadelphia Inquirer article today, Governor Corzine said he’s leaving the door open for a gas tax increase to fund transportation needs. He also noted that state residents are also heavily burdened.

“Of course our residents are heavily burdened,” stated Karrow. “Whose fault is that? He’s been in the driver’s seat for the past three years while his party has controlled the governor’s office and Legislature for the past seven years.

“To even consider increasing the gas tax especially now when prices at the pump are beginning to slowly creep up again and when so many are suffering so much is downright cruel. It’s like kicking someone who is down and defenseless.”

Karrow suggests the governor take a long, hard look at the Republican’s “Common Sense Plan for an Affordable New Jersey,” which he and Democrats have ignored. It contains, among other things, an economic development plan and $1.3 billion in wasteful spending cuts, of which $500 million could be used to offset a permanent dedication of all motor vehicle revenues to fund a renewal of the state’s Transportation Trust Fund.

“The sad thing is we can fund our Transportation Trust Fund without the need for toll increases and a gas tax hike,” stated Karrow. “Unfortunately, Governor Corzine refuses to consider any alternatives not generated by Democrats. He’s playing politics while our residents continue to suffer.”

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