Governor signs transportation bill

TRENTON — Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) designed to reduce the burden on property taxpayers and improve roads, bridges and rail safety was signed today by Governor Chris Christie.
“With this legislation in place, we can now move forward on crucial transportation projects that are in need of attention without putting the burden on local property taxpayers,” Senator Oroho said. “The funding of our TTF is so important because a sound, well-maintained transportation infrastructure is key to our state’s economic vitality, it brings needed jobs and will continue to ensure the safety of the traveling public.”
The bill appropriates $400 million from the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), including $260 million for immediate road and bridge repairs across the state and $140 million for technology and safety improvements at New Jersey Transit.
Senator Oroho was instrumental in crafting last year’s Tax Reform and Restructuring Plan, which called for the doubling of local transportation aid to counties and municipalities to help ease the property tax burden. The plan was nationally recognized by the Tax Foundation with its Outstanding Achievement in State Tax Reform award.
“The tax reform plan that we approved last year has made it possible for the state to pay for many critical transportation projects in communities across New Jersey,” said Oroho. “Our new legislation builds on that effort by having the state augment its share of funding for local road and bridge repairs that would otherwise have been borne by residents through increased property taxes.”