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Assemblymen John Wisniewski (D-19) and Scott Rumana (R-40) exchanged sharp words with each other Wednesday over possible solutions for the state's underfunded NJ Transit system, with Wisniewski calling for a raise in the minimum wage as Rumana defended making further cuts while raising fares. When things got heated between the two, Wisniewski turned his criticisms to the Christie administration and pointed to what he characterized as its long-term mismanagement of the commuter line.

Wisniewski argued throughout the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee hearing that an increase in New Jersey's minimum wage would provide a more robust tax base. That increase would contrast with the system's current reliance on Turnpike Authority dollars and clean energy subsidies. With 2015's eight percent fare hikes, those making the current minimum wage of $8.38 have felt the pinch as a ride from Trenton to New York City has spiked to $16.75. NJ Transit is entering the 2016 fiscal year with a $56 million budget gap after cutting $40 million in expenses.

Scott Rumana

Rumana countered Wisniewski, saying that fare increases are an inevitability before comparing the commuter rail system to other public amenities like swimming pools and golf courses.

'The subsidy really is higher than it's ever been, from the state,' he said. 'Who else would pay for it? I mean the person who uses the system ends up having to pay for the system. If you have a town pool and you go to use the pool, you pay for the pool. If you go to use the county golf course, you pay for the use of the golf course.

'The cost of operating the system has to be brought down in some fashion, because you can't ask for everybody else in the state to pay more for the system just to keep it afloat the way it is either. Because everybody else is overtaxed.'

Posted by NJ Assembly Republicans in Clips | Tagged: Scott Rumana , subsidies , transit fares | No Comments

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New Jersey Assembly Republicans issued this content on 27 January 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 27 January 2016 22:28:09 UTC

Original Document: http://www.njassemblyrepublicans.com/?p=21739