Essex County urges state to restore corporate business tax surcharge to shore up NJ Transit

Essex County commissioners voted to adopt a resolution urging state officials to extend the corporate business tax (CBT) surcharge and dedicate the revenue to New Jersey Transit and infrastructure projects.

The board moved to consider Resolution 48 by acclamation and approved it unanimously. Commissioner Gill, a sponsor, said the county’s economy and residents are particularly exposed to cuts in transit service because of high population density and proximity to New York City.

At public comment, Eric Benson of the For the Many in New Jersey Coalition urged the board’s support and framed the issue in fiscal terms. “This past December 31, corporate surcharge in the states, expired resulting in an annual tax cut of $1,000,000,000 to corporations earning over $1,000,000 of profits,” Benson said, adding that “New Jersey Transit is facing roughly an $800,000,000 budget deficit” even after a 15% fare increase earlier this year.

Why it matters: Commissioners said stable state funding for NJ Transit affects county residents’ commutes and access to jobs and services. The resolution asks state lawmakers and the governor to consider the CBT surcharge extension as a dedicated funding source for NJ Transit and other long-range infrastructure projects that benefit Essex County.

What the board did: The resolution was introduced out of order, opened for brief discussion, presented for public comment, and moved and approved by roll call with all present voting in favor. The record shows the board handled the resolution by acclamation and recorded a unanimous 'yes' vote.

Next steps: The resolution is nonbinding on state officials; it serves as a formal expression of the commissioners’ position and will be transmitted to state elected leaders. County staff did not present a fiscal estimate of local impacts tied to any specific CBT design during the meeting.