MANASQUAN — “It is mind-boggling to conceive that elected officials – including Gov. Corzine – and Turnpike Board officials are ready once again to embrace massive toll hikes as a solution to New Jersey’s transportation funding problems,” said Ray Neveil, president of Citizens Against Tolls. (CAT) in a Wednesday, Sept. 17 release.
“Why is it so hard to understand that tolls are the most inefficient of all taxes to foist on taxpayers? Collection costs are enormous – there are over 80 areas of expense connected to toll collection on the Parkway! This does not include the huge expenses for E-Z Pass collections and administration,” Neveil explained.
“Of all times, while taxpayers struggle with falling incomes and increasing expenses on so many fronts, when folks are losing their homes and jobs are leaving the area by the score, WHY would any responsible elected or appointed official visit further inefficient tolls on the Pubic?” Neveil questioned.
“If legislators and the Executive Branch and it’s appointees stopped to think clearly, they would realize that a small increase in the gas tax – already in place and efficient and easy to collect – would go far in funding transportation projects. Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri said it very well in his recent “doughnut” analogy (“Q & A with transit chief….”; APP; 9/13/08.) Kolluri stated ‘…..one doughnut costs $l.06……if people are willing to pay $l.06 for one doughnut, they should also be willing to pay 50 cents more …..to make sure roads and bridges are safe.’
“Excuse us,” exclaimed Neveil. “Didn’t the commissioner just make an excellent case for a gas tax increase? It would hold true that, with people being able to absorb massive gas price increases seen over the past several months, then they can pay a few pennies more now that gas prices have dropped back. And the gas tax is spread over every individual who purchases gas in N.J. – not just the poor souls who are required to travel the Garden State Parkway and Turnpike. Toll road users should not be responsible for solving NJ’s crises in transportation funding,” declared Neveil. “If all pay at the pump, adequate revenue is gained and paid equally by all.”
“Come on, Gov. Corzine and legislators,” chided Neveil. “It’s time to stop playing with numbers and toll revenues, whose collection costs often times exceed revenue raised, and do the right thing – cut spending and raise the gas tax!” Neveil concluded.
