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New Jersey gas tax going up more than 9 cents starting in October

The increase to 50.7 cents a gallon from 41.4 cents goes into effect on Oct. 1.

A gas station at the Atlantic City Expressway's Farley Service Plaza.
A gas station at the Atlantic City Expressway's Farley Service Plaza.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
    by The Associated Press, The Associated Press
    Published 

New Jersey’s gas tax is going up 9.3 cents a gallon, a roughly 22% increase, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration said Friday.

The increase to 50.7 cents a gallon from 41.4 cents goes into effect on Oct. 1.

It stems from a 2016 law that requires the state fund supporting bridge and road infrastructure maintain a $2 billion program annually. It also requires an annual adjustment to the fuel tax if receipts don't meet that level.

Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio said gasoline consumption dropped about 39% from March to May — coinciding with the COVID-19 outbreak — and leading to a drop in receipts for the fuel tax.

It’s the third year Murphy, a Democrat elected in 2017, has had to review the gas tax. In 2018, the tax increased about 10%. Last year the rate stayed flat.