Some truckers favor higher fuel tax, tolls in Garden State

The Associated Press

5/22/2008

TRENTON, N.J. — Some truckers are endorsing a proposal to raise tolls and the gasoline tax in New Jersey.

The Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers Thursday backed Assemblyman John Wisniewski's plan to pay for transportation.

Its president, Jeffrey Bader, says the plan is sensible and responsible.

Wisniewski proposes increasing New Jersey Turnpike tolls 25 percent, Garden State Parkway tolls 50 cents and Atlantic City Expressway tolls 75 cents, with more increases in later years.

The Assembly transportation panel chairman also wants to boost the 14.5 cent per gallon gas tax by 18 cents over three years.

The association represents 80 percent of the truck traffic at the Port of New York-New Jersey.