Recent articles about citations for driving while using a cell phone suggest another way for Governor Christie to handle New Jersey’s finances. There have been 224,725 citations in the 23 months the law has been in effect. At $100 each this brings in $22.47 million.
Since most people are now so addicted to cell phones that they can’t stop, I suggest that Christie raise the fine to $1,000 and use the money for a general state fund. This fundraising method is certainly less punitive than removing state funding from schools, arts organizations, and New Jersey Transit.
Another way of raising a lot of money is to increase the gasoline tax in New Jersey, which is very low relative to most other states. Recently the Washington Post suggested raising the gasoline price to $7 per gallon as price increases have been the only method that makes people conserve.
Ronald A. LeMahieu
Sequoia Court, West Windsor
