Letters: Gas-tax hike a sell-out for N.J.'s middle class

ISSUE | N.J. GAS TAX

The new Transportation Trust Fund deal is a sellout for the people of New Jersey ("N.J. legislators postpone voting on gas-tax increase," Thursday). It would raise the gas tax by 23 cents a gallon, but it will also give tax cuts to the wealthy, costing the budget billions and leading to cuts in education, health-care, and the environment. To close the hole, the state will raid environmental settlements and the Clean Energy Fund. There will be no money to deal with lead in our schools or homes.

While cuts and eliminating the estate tax would be permanent, the TTF funding would be for only eight years and won't scratch the surface of the amount needed. More than 40 percent of our bridges are dilapidated, and many roads are in disrepair. Given the need of funding for mass transit projects such as the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and the Gateway Project, there will be none left for other transit programs. We should be planning transportation projects for 30 years.

The TTF is bankrupt, but this plan will bankrupt New Jersey. Gov. Christie said that when billionaires such as Donald Trump don't pay taxes, it's genius. This plan must also be genius, since the billionaires won't pay, but everyone else will.

|Jeff Tittel, director, N.J. Sierra Club, Trenton

I'm saddened that the proposed New Jersey gas-tax increase is coupled with the phasing out of the estate tax. While the change is masked in a veil of improving our roads and shoring up our budget, it is a continuation of the divisions running through America and the mentality that has given rise to so many inequalities.

Most residents don't have more than $675,000 to leave to their children or other relatives and are not impacted by the estate tax. It is estimated that only the richest 0.14 percent of Americans are subject to estate taxes.

The opposite is true when it comes to adding 23 cents to the tax on every gallon of gas that everyday folks use in their everyday lives. The increase will lead to higher bus fares and shipping costs.

I was excited to see Christie take office with what appeared to be promising ideas for financial management. Unfortunately, I have seen another money grab by those elected to make sensible decisions for their constituents.

While I agree with balancing the budget, do it more fairly for everyone. Legislators should vote against this deal, or at least retain the estate tax.

|Chris Moffett, Elmer, N.J., inside212@yahoo.com

First, the casinos started closing. Now, the price of gas is going to rise by 23 cents a gallon. Not publicly discussed, but possibly in the wings, are efforts by New Jersey to raise its liquor tax and by gas-station owners to eliminate full service. Pretty soon, there will not be any reason left to visit the Garden State.

|Paul L. Newman, Merion Station