Stupid Campaign Tricks: Corzine Floats Increase in Gas Tax

You're three weeks from election day, locked in a virtual dead heat with your opponent, and what does a Democrat incumbent do?

Why, tell the voters they'll probably see a tax increase if they're dumb enough to re-elect you.

Governor Corzine said Monday he’ll consider raising the state’s gasoline tax during a second term or diverting money from other programs to keep the fund that pays for transportation projects afloat.

The second option, however, would force the state to find the money for road and mass transit projects that cost billions of dollars all while it tries to deal with a budget that could be as much as $8 billion short next year, Corzine said.

“I’m more than happy to do either one of them, not because I like doing it, but because it’s going to be necessary,” Corzine said during a meeting with The Record’s editorial board.

The governor’s position marks a change from statements he made last year when he called raising the 14.5-cent-per-gallon gas tax “a very, very last resort.” The tax rate is the fourth lowest in the nation.

He's more than happy to increase your taxes. Just remember that come election day.

Taxes are high enough across the board in this state, despite the fact we have a relatively low gas tax. But bet your last dollar this guy will punish the residents with every tax under the sun if they re-elect him.