The New Jersey Business & Industry Association supports S-2748 (Sarlo, D-36; Oroho, R-24), which exempts school bus contractors from paying the state’s gas tax.
“In current law, private school bus contractors under contract with a school district pay the state’s gas tax, while districts that operate their own school buses do not,” said Michele Siekerka, NJBIA President and CEO. “This legislation will help level the playing field so all those with school bus fleets that service school districts are tax exempt.”
NJBIA also supports S-3076 (Sweeney, D-3; Oroho R-24) which appropriates $400 million from the Transportation Trust Fund for road and bridge repairs. These funds are targeted to be spent in the current fiscal year within 100 days of enactment of the bill.
“We think it is important for the state to appropriate $400 million from the Transportation Trust Fund in the current fiscal year,” said Siekerka. “The state has identified many roads and bridges in immediate need of upgrade and repair. These additional funds will allow us to do the work that needs to be done more quickly.
“The change will help local school districts that utilize contracted transportation services control costs in their business plans and budgets,” Siekerka said.
Both bills were approved today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
