PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Manasquan, NJ – September 17, 2008
"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 NJ 's transportation funding problems," said Ray Neveil, President of Citizens Against Tolls. (CAT) "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.) Commissioner 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 GS 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, Governor 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.CONTACTS:
John Millett
Raymond G. Neveil
Note from Webmaster
Dear Commissioner Kolluri - Every driver wants safe roads and bridges, and everyone should be responsible for paying for them. Your toll plan unfairly charges only a select few.
I commute 40 miles each day. Fortunately, I do not need toll roads, which means I pay about 20¢ per day in state gas tax. Unlucky drivers who need the Turnpike pay NJ an average of $2 in tolls and 20¢ in gas tax for a similar commute - over 10 times what I pay for the same service! And those are the ones you want to tax more?
But maybe Commissioner Kolluri is onto something with his donut analogy: If people are willing to spend $1.06 for a donut, then they should be willing to spend 50¢ for safe roads and bridges.
I agree! ...So why not add a 50¢ tax to donuts (for safe roads) instead?
I am a fiscal conservative, so $1.06 for a donut is a little steep for me. And any true fiscal conservative would not support tolls as a way to pay for our roads because so much is wasted collecting it. I just wish there were more fiscal conservatives in Trenton.
One more question, Commissioner: Do you pay NJ tolls, or is that one of your government perks? (See headline below: As tolls rise, P.A. employees still get a free ride, Star-Ledger, 8/11/08). I'm sure P.A. employees can afford that $1.06 donut. ...So why aren't they paying into our roads and bridges?
Executive Director
New Jersey Turnpike Authority
September 27, 2008
It was deeply disturbing to find that the Turnpike Authority, a public body formed to serve the public's interest, deliberately scheduled hearings on proposed toll increases at times and locations which made it difficult for the public to attend. In fact heavy users from Monmouth and Ocean counties did not have a hearing at all! Does this serve the public's interest?
Regarding proposed toll increases it would be interesting to know how many millions of dollars have been wasted collecting tolls when a free system (a designated gas tax) was available to fund our transportation needs as it has for years.
There are over 80 expense areas associated with collecting tolls while a designated gas tax has no collection costs nor does a gas tax cause accidents or pollution. In addition some of the proposed toll increases are required to provide more facilities to collect tolls!
There no question that more income is needed for designated transportation projects so why not consider an increase in the gas tax and use the saved collection costs for these projects!
In closing, it takes four costly bureaucracies to collect tolls for the Parkway, Turnpike, Atlantic City Expressway and EZ-Pass!
Raymond G. Neveil
President, Citizens Against Tolls
Tolls....the most inefficient and costly TAX of all to collect.
Tolls...often cost more to effectuate than they collect.
Tolls...over 80 areas of expense for toll collection just on GS Parkway alone! (E-Z Pass not included.)
Tolls...double taxation for all who already pay gas tax and must also use toll roads.
Tolls...place burden of transportation projects upon a select few.
Gas tax -- raises millions per year with just pennies per gallon.
Gas tax -- efficient collection method already in place. No new structures, plazas, booths, etc. needed.
Gas tax -- equitably distributes cost of transportation projects over entire driving public -- in state & out.
Isn't it easy to see which of the above options is the most efficient and fair??
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR TOLL ADJUSTMENT
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority will conduct public hearings relative to a proposed toll adjustment.
Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008 – 6:00pm to 8:00 pm
Camden County Community College, 200 College Drive, Blackwood, NJ 08012
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008 – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
NJ Turnpike Authority Headquarters, 581 Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008 – 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Bergen Community College, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652
SUPPLEMENTAL PUBLIC HEARING
Friday, Oct. 10, 2008 – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
NJ Turnpike Authority Headquarters, 581 Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Submit written comments to info@turnpike.state.nj.us, or:
Executive Director
NJ Turnpike Authority
581 Main St.
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
For more information please CLICK HERE
