New Jersey to restrict gas tax dollars for transportation uses

(Photo via ShutterStock)

(Photo via ShutterStock)

New Jersey voters said yes to a question asking whether every penny of the state’s 37.5-cent per gallon gas tax should go exclusively to transportation costs.

The question of creating a so-called constitutional “lockbox” was viewed as a no-brainer by most lawmakers, but Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno came out opposed to the question recently.

She argues a yes vote amounts to a rubber stamp on $12 billion in state borrowing over eight years. The borrowing is part of a deal reached between Republican Gov. Chris Christie and the Democrat-led Legislature to raise the gas tax by 23 cents, cut other taxes and pay for transportation.

The ballot question did not mention the borrowing, which instead is contained in the legislation Christie signed into law.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal