TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Donald Norcross (D-Camden/Gloucester) and Jim Beach (D-Camden) that would allow advertising on state roadway patrol vehicles to pay for services through private funding – rather than additional taxes or tolls – was approved today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
“Tax and toll payers have carried the entire burden of funding the state’s transportation needs for far too long,� said Senator Norcross. �By permitting private companies to sponsor our roadway patrol vehicles, we will generate much-needed revenue that will save taxpayers’ dollars while continuing to provide the services they depend on to stay safe.”
The 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, as well as signs and materials. The bill would allow the Department to realize sponsorship revenues to offset the costs of safety or emergency service patrols. If signed into law, New Jersey would become the eighth state to enact such a program, following New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Florida, Maryland, Kansas and Georgia.
“More than a half dozen states have recognized the benefit of partnering with private companies to offset the costs of safety and emergency patrols on their roadways,” said Senator Beach. “This legislation will allow New Jersey to begin taking advantage of this innovative program, which will provide a tangible cost savings to our state, tax and toll payers alike.”
The legislation now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
