TRENTON – A package of bills sponsored by Senator Donald Norcross (D-Camden/Gloucester) that would allow advertising on toll booths and patrol vehicles to pay for services through private funding – rather than additional taxes or tolls – was approved today by the Senate Transportation Committee.
“It is imperative that we find creative ways to support our transportation needs so that we can avoid continuously having to ask tax and toll payers to hand over their hard-earned money,” said Senator Norcross. “Put simply, these bills will allow state government to do what private enterprise does every day, and that’s to raise revenue to cover existing costs.”
The first bill (S-2182) would allow the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which operates the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike, and the South Jersey Transportation Authority, which operates the Atlantic City Expressway, to authorize the placement of commercial advertising and sponsorship signs on equipment used for toll collection.
This second bill (S-2787) would permit the Department of Transportation to procure revenue-generating sponsors for, and permit sponsorship and advertising on, safety service patrol or emergency service patrol vehicles and equipment. The bill would allow the Department to partner with private entities and realize sponsorship revenues to offset the costs of safety or emergency service patrols. New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Florida, and Georgia have similar programs.
“The federal government has recognized partnerships with private entities to be one of the most-cost effective ways to cover the expenses that support public safety,” said Senator Norcross. “A number of states in the region are already taking advantage of this common-sense initiative. There’s no reason we shouldn’t, too.”
Both bills were approved by a vote of 5-0. The first bill (S-2182) will head to the full Senate for consideration. The second bill (S-2787) heads to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.