New coalition tries to nudge New Jersey toward securing transportation funds

A newly formed coalition of business, labor, and transportation advocacy groups is pushing for a long-term source of funding to improve New Jersey’s transportation system.

 

 

The state’s Transportation Trust Fund will run out of money by June and it must be replenished, warned New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Tom Bracken and chairman of the Forward NJ coalition.

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“We are not advocating for any specific funding source,” he said. “We have let everybody know that there are many options that we’re saying could be used as funding sources.”

Bracken admits there’s opposition to some of those options such as an increase in the gas tax or the sales tax.

But, said the coalition, the lack of a long-term solution threatens New Jersey’s business climate and the safety of residents.

Lawmakers intend to review the report, and the findings will play a role in the discussions when the legislature holds hearings on the state’s transportation crisis, said Assembly Speaker Vinnie Prieto, D-Hudson.

 

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