New Jersey Drivers Face Increased Costs with Gas Tax and Toll Hikes

New Year, Higher Costs for Commuters

• 🚗 The new year brings increased expenses for transportation in and around New York City and New Jersey.
• ⛽ New Jersey's gas tax has risen by approximately 4 cents per gallon, bringing the total to nearly 50 cents.
• 🌉 Tolls on Port Authority and MTA crossings have also increased.

Toll and Fee Adjustments

• 📈 The Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike now feature a toll hike.
• 🛣️ Drivers on the turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Atlantic City Expressway will see a 3% increase in tolls.
• 🌉 For Delaware River Bridge crossings, Easy Pass users will pay $2, up from $1.50, while toll-by-mail users will pay $5, up from $3.
• 🚗 Port Authority crossings into New York have increased by 25 cents.

Minimum Wage Increases

• 💰 New Jersey's minimum wage has been raised to $15.92 for most workers, an increase of 43 cents.
• 🧑‍💼 Seasonal and most small business employees will now earn $15.23, up by 7 cents.
• 🚜 Farmworkers' minimum wage increased by 80 cents to $14.20.
• 🏥 Workers at long-term care facilities will see an increase of 43 cents, bringing their minimum wage to $18.92.
• 💸 Tipped workers will have a $6.65 minimum wage, adjusted based on tips earned.

New Department for Veterans

• 🎖️ New Jersey has established a new Department of Veterans Affairs.
• 🤝 This department aims to provide veterans with improved access to healthcare, mental health services, housing, and other earned benefits.