It’s November 1st, and gas stations around New Jersey are refilling their tanks after drivers rushed to get one last tankful of cheap gas before the 158-percent hike approved by Gov. Chris Christie and the legislature boosts prices. The gas tax’s impact isn’t limited to drivers. In the first of what could be many trickle-down price hikes, Uber has announced it’s raising its fee because of the gas tax.
One chapter of the long-running Bridgegate saga is almost over, as the jury is preparing to deliberate in the trial of two Christie aids charged with orchestrating the epic traffic tie-up. Christie, meanwhile, is back out campaigning for Donald Trump, predicting a tsunami of voters will propel the real estate magnate into the White House.
Quote of the Day: “We’re making this change to support our driver-partners in the face of New Jersey’s historic gasoline tax hike,” – Ana Mahony, general manager of Uber New Jersey, on the company’s decision to hike it’s per-mile charge in the Garden State.
Uber raises prices because of higher NJ gas tax
Ride-sharing company Uber will increase its fares by 2 cents a mile to ease the burden of New Jersey’s gas tax hike on its drivers, the company said Monday.
Michael L. Diamond, Asbury Park Press Read more
Drivers line up to fill tanks before tax hike
A steady flow of cars pulled in and out of Garden State Fuel on the Black Horse Pike on Monday to get one last fill-up before the tax hike took effect at midnight.
John DeRosier, Press of Atlantic City Read more
Why you might not feel the pain of gas tax hike until summer
Monday will be the last day most drivers will be able to readily buy gas below $2 a gallon in New Jersey as a 23-cent per gallon increase in the state gas tax takes effect on Tuesday.
Larry Higgs, NJ.com Read more
Christie: ‘All signs point to an incredible turnout for Donald Trump’
Gov. Chris Christie is back on the fundraising circuit, trying to bring in money to help fund the White House transition should Donald Trump be elected president Nov. 8.
Jonathan D. Salant, NJ.com Read more
N.J. voting booth selfie ban still on the books for 2016 election
The state lawmaker looking to lift the ban on ballot selfies says New Jerseyans who want to post photos from the voting booth shouldn’t be too worried come Election Day.
S.P. Sullivan, NJ.com Read more
What 2 former N.J. attorneys general said to FBI about Clinton email probe
Two former New Jersey attorneys general added their voices Monday to the chorus calling on the FBI to provide more information about their probe of emails that could involve Hillary Clinton.
Jonathan D. Salant, NJ.com Read more
Homeowners at lower end of North Jersey market are likely paying too much tax
Homeowners at the lower end of North Jersey’s housing market — still suffering disproportionately from the real-estate slump — are now taking another hit in the form of inflated property tax bills that may be costing them hundreds of dollars extra per year.
Dave Sheingold, The Record Read more
North Jersey casinos supporters, opponents making their closing arguments
The statewide Nov. 8 referendum on North Jersey casinos has voters being sent very different messages from supporters and opponents. The former’s key point is that opponents are “ducking debates” being proposed by the supporters, including a no-show at a recent debate. But opponents say the real focus should be on not trusting Trenton legislators to properly manage approval and management of casino bids should the vote succeed.
John Brennan, The Record Read more
Guardian calls Atlantic City’s battle against state takeover its, ‘Revolutionary War’
A defiant Mayor Don Guardian dressed as George Washington for Halloween, the eve before the state decides whether to take over this city.
Christian Hetrick, Press of Atlantic City Read more
Fates of Kelly, Baroni now in the hands of the jury
In a criminal case that focused heavily on Governor Christie’s role before and after the September 2013 lane closures at the George Washington Bridge, the jury must now decide whether or not his two former associates are guilty of a politically-motivated traffic scheme that first captivated the nation nearly three years ago.
Dustin Racioppi, The Record Read more
Bridgegate attorney: Star witness is ‘Bernie Madoff of N.J. politics’
And now it’s in the hands of jury.
After six weeks and 35 witnesses, the defense and prosecution in the Bridgegate trial finished summations Monday, handing the case over to seven women and five men who will determine the fate of two former Christie administration insiders charged in a bizarre scheme of Jersey-style political retribution.
Ted Sherman and Matt Arco, NJ.com Read more
New NJ law bans annoying text message ads
Are you sick and tired of getting hounded online and on your phone by telemarketers?
A new law takes effect Tuesday that bans text message ads in the Garden State.
David Matthau, NJ101.5 Read more
Bridge Scandal Has Become Thorny Issue for Another Governor: Cuomo
The monumental traffic jam at the foot of the George Washington Bridge was never supposed to be Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s problem.
Vivian Yee, New York Times Read more
Going his own way may cost Scott Garrett
As he pushed to sharply limit the federal role in government to serve what he saw as the Founding Fathers’ vision, Rep. Scott Garrett had no problem going his own way.
Herb Jackson, The Record Read more
In lone debate, Garrett and Gottheimer call each other liars
The tone of the congressional race between Republican incumbent Scott Garrett and Josh Gottheimer has been ugly.
Matt Friedman, Politico Read more
Frelinghuysen, Wenzel debate on radio
Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen and Democratic challenger Joe Wenzel presented their cases to District 11 voters Sunday morning during a congressional debate on radio station WMTR that covered more than a dozen issues ranging from national and world affairs to New Jersey priorities including property tax and infrastructure.
William Westhoven, The Record Read more
Top Democrats Disagree Over School Funding Plan
Add school funding to the list of topics where state Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto don’t see eye to eye.
John Mooney, NJSpotlight Read more
Red Bank schools improve as tensions simmer over charter
Fourth-graders at the charter school here were hunched over laptops and dictionaries during a recent lesson on synonyms and antonyms. They were studying words like ‘refugee,’ ‘asylum’ and ‘expedition.’
Payton Guion, Asbury Park Press Read more
Paterson council questions use of federal funds for new basketball facility, boys club repairs
The City Council has balked at the administration’s plan to use $722,000 in federal funding for a new indoor basketball facility in Buckley Park.
Joe Malinconico, The Record Read more
My bosses fired me after I told them I had breast cancer, woman alleges
A legal assistant who worked for 10 years at a borough law firm claims she was fired the day after telling her bosses she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, according to a lawsuit filed in Bergen County Superior Court.
Anthony G. Attrino, NJ.com Read more
Opinion: Lt. Gov. Guadagno pipes up, but gets it wrong on the gas tax
Kim Guadagno speaks!
The little-heard-from Lt. Governor just urged listeners on 101.5 to vote against public question No. 2 on the Nov. 8 ballot, which would dedicate gas tax revenues to transportation projects.
Star-Ledger Editorial Board Read more
