Hardyston councilman speaks out on gas tax

HARDYSTON — Councilman Santo Verrilli spoke out at a recent Hardyston Township meeting about his total objection to Jamie Foxx, the Secretary of Transportation of New Jersey’s request to increase the sales tax on gas by 25 cents.

Foxx stated that New Jersey’s gas tax is the second lowest in the United States and has not been raised in more than 20 years.

Verrilli asked Township Attorney Fred Semrau to send a letter to Foxx, Gov. Chris Christie, the state Assembly in Trenton, and Congressman Scott Garrett expressing Hardyston’s Township’s strict opposition to this gas tax increase.

“It is understandable that the money accumulated in Atlantic City goes toward senior citizens,” Verrilli said.

Verrilli pointed out that the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike make about $1.5 billion per year and the lottery takes in millions.

“There is no accountability where the money is going to.”

Mayor Carl Miller and the entire Council agreed to have Semrau send this letter out to the parties mentioned.

The issue is scheduled to be discussed again on April 8.