Statement from Assemblywoman DeCroce:

In their uncontrollable desire to increase the cost and scope of state government, the state legislature’s Democratic majority has now levied a tax on convenience and public safety – as well as transportation for everyday users of ride sharing services.

DeCroce said the legislature’s recent approval to tax Lyft and Uber car services is detrimental to public safety and a burden to those who depend on the services for transportation.

“Many people especially young adults, use car services such as Uber to avoid driving while intoxicated. Rather than reward that good behavior, the Democrats chose to punish it by levying yet another tax on the people of New Jersey, ” said DeCroce. “The tax is a disincentive to use good judgment.”

Ironically said DeCroce the ride service tax comes at a time when the legislature is trying to establish a Designated Driver’s Prevent Drunk Driving fatalities fund, by adding a $2 surcharge on parking violation resulting from a digital parking meter or other electronic parking compliance device.

“While the Democrats are taxing a service that already exists to save lives from drunken driving, they are instituting yet another tax on technology to create a fund to help reduce drunk driving,” said DeCroce. These actions make no sense and are just another way for government to reach into the pockets of people of New Jersey.”

Harming The Less Fortunate

DeCroce added that taxing Lyft and Uber is a further burden to low income people who do not own cars but are in need of transportation. Citing concerns from the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, DeCroce said that people who cannot afford to own a car depend on services other than taxis.

According to the Hispanic Chamber
• In Paterson, over 70 percent of Lyft rides start or end in low-income areas. Top destinations are the Walmart Supercenter, followed by St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center.
• In Camden, 54 percent of car service rides start or end in low-income communities, and the top destination is the Walter Rand Transportation Center.
• In Newark, 43 percent of people report using Lyft to commute to work; and nearly a third of passengers report using Lyft to connect with public transit.

“Raising taxes, increasing spending and creating new programs is not the answer to New Jersey’s financial problems,” said DeCroce. “Yet the Democrats can’t seem to restrain themselves from taking money from people of all income groups.”

The pace at which the Gov. Murphy’s Administration is raising taxes without considering meaningful spending cuts is staggering, said the assemblywoman. “The rush to raise taxes by Gov. Murphy and his supporters in the legislature is a money grab unlike anything seen in New Jersey since Jim Florio was governor,” said DeCroce.