Congressman Jeff Van Drew has criticized the upcoming increase in New Jersey’s gas tax, which is set to reach nearly 50 cents per gallon starting January 1. In a statement released Wednesday, Van Drew expressed concern about the financial strain on state residents.
“New Jersey families are getting hit from every direction,” said Congressman Van Drew. “Thanks to state leadership, utility bills are up, delivery fees are up, and now they are raising the gas tax again. We already have one of the highest gas taxes in America. Raising it is the last thing working people need. This is a direct result of the policies that Governor Murphy signed into law, which make these tax hikes more likely year after year. They refuse to control their spending, so instead, they stick the bill on hardworking families. Let me be clear: talking about affordability means nothing if you stay silent when the state keeps raising taxes. Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill and Governor Murphy must reverse this hike immediately. While we are doing what we can at the federal level to lower costs, only state leaders have the power to make this change. People are tired of being punished for the state’s own failures, especially when the rest of the country is seeing gas prices go down.”
The increase will make New Jersey’s gas tax among the highest in the United States.