2017 NJ Governor's race: on Energy & Oil

Kim Guadagno: Favor wind turbines on Jersey coast

Joe Rullo: Repeal the 23-cent gas tax

As Governor I will repeal the $.23 gas tax, and dissolve the transportation SLUSH fund.

Phil Murphy: Raise gas tax to renew Transportation Trust Fund

Raising the state's 14.5-cent gasoline tax, second-lowest in the country, has been identified by most as the only way to renew the state's Transportation Trust Fund, currently unable to pay for anything other than debt service.

While it's not a "perfect match," he suggested raising the Earned Income Tax Credit--a popular credit among working class families--to 40 percent. Increasing that tax credit has been a part of multiple TTF plans proposed over the last few months. Raising the gas tax "is aggressive so it bothers the heck out of me," Murphy said. "But I hope we can find ways to cushion the blow." But doing so would come with instant employment opportunities--thousands of construction workers are out of work due to Christie's mandated transportation work stoppage--and provide a needed investment in infrastructure, Murphy said.

Phil Murphy: It stinks, but raise the gas tax to fund transportation

A gasoline tax hike has become wildly unpopular in New Jersey, even at Murphy's event: There was only a smattering of applause when he called for the tax to be raised. Raising the gas tax "is aggressive so it bothers the heck out of me," Murphy said. "But I hope we can find ways to cushion the blow." Doing so would come with instant employment opportunities--thousands of construction workers are out of work due to Christie's mandated transportation work stoppage--and provide a needed investment in infrastructure, Murphy said.

Steve Fulop: Gas tax is essentially a user fee for motorists

A variable-rate structure means that when gas prices increase, the per-gallon tax that motorists pay at the pump will decrease, so that the amount that consumers pay will remain relatively stable. This both protects consumers and our state's economy from the tax burden that is caused by fluctuating gas prices.

Steve Fulop: Variable rate gas tax with automatic inflation increase

A variable-rate structure means that when gas prices increase, the per-gallon tax that motorists pay at the pump will decrease, so that the amount that consumers pay will remain relatively stable. This both protects consumers and our state's economy from the tax burden that is caused by fluctuating gas prices. Additionally, it is important that our state's gas tax solution is tied to the inflation rate to allow the tax rates to adjust accordingly without legislative action.