Ciattarelli says he's for low taxes, but bragged about his support for gas tax.

TOMS RIVER, NJ – In 2016, as a Republican member of New Jersey’s General Assembly, NJ gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattelli openly supported the idea of a gas tax which was being touted by then-Governor Chris Christie’s staggering 23 cents per gallon gas tax hike. It was the first gas tax hike in the state since 1988 and the highest gas tax hike on record in New Jersey. Ciattarelli said he wanted the gas tax, but not all at once.

Ciattarelli was a staunch supporter of a gas tax hike, which has now aided gas prices in New Jersey well over $3.00 per gallon in many parts of the state. Historically, before this tax hike, which Ciattarelli supported prior to Christie’s astronomical 23 cent hike in the Assembly, New Jersey was known for its nationally low gas prices.

After all, New Jersey makes a large portion of the gas produces and used in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, produced at the Bayway Refinery in Linden. People used to come to New Jersey from New York and Pennsylvania to fill up on the state’s cheap and abundant gasoline.

In an interview with News 12 (below), Ciattarelli admitted and boasted that he supported the 23 cent gas tax hike. Although he did not want to hit New Jersey with a single 23 cent hike at one time, he wanted to gradually reach the 23 cents mark over a period of a couple of years. Either way, whether the state did it Christie’s way or Jack’s way, in 2021, the rate would have been what it is today.

“I suggested in 2012 that there should be a couple penny increase, maybe a nickel, and do that in 2013 and 2014 as well. And that we should balance that with reducing costs,” Ciattarelli said in a 2016 interview. Ciattarelli called to increase the rate a nickel per year over consecutive years.

Ciattarelli’s opponent Hirsh Singh took no time to remind voters today that Ciattarelli supported the gas tax.

“I’ve been advocating for an increase in the gas tax since 2012,” Ciattarelli said.

“Never-Trump Jack Ciatarelli brag[ged] about fighting to raise your gas tax since 2012. You pay an extra 23 cents per gallon because of Jack Ciattarelli. Jack is an out-of-touch 33-year career politician who has destroyed New Jersey alongside his left-wing friends,” Singh said in a statement today.

Experts predict that during the administration of President Joe Biden, after cutting the Keystone XL pipeline and with his anti-fossil fuel stance and policies, gas prices in the country could soon top $4.00 per gallon and in New Jersey, the 23 cents “Jack Tax” would make those prices even higher.

We tried to reach out to Ciattarelli’s campaign but his staff has blocked Shore News Network on its social media pages.

Clearing the air, before you watch the video…

Thank you for visiting Shore News Network, New Jersey’s #1 Conservative news source since 2010! Don’t believe the lies Jack Ciattarelli’s friends tell you. We have been here long before Jack’s run for governor and we’ll be here long after, you can visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Parler, YoutTube, or on our website, www.shorenewsnetwork.com. Shore News Network does not take campaign advertising from any candidates and has not accepted any since 2019. It’s all nothing but a Jack lie. In 2016, SNN was the ONLY New Jersey media outlet to publicly endorse Donald J. Trump for President!

Jack Ciattarelli

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Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

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