The highlight was a report card by the New Jersey Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. It awarded dismal grades to nine different types of infrastructure --- the highest was a C-plus given to energy. Bridges, highways, airports and sewers all received grades of D, dams and parks/recreation were awarded C-minus. Drinking water and ports and navigable waterways, each scored C.

Bradley Abelow, Governor Jon Corzine’s chief of staff, asserted that those infrastructure grades are “unacceptable.” State Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri pointed to the bridge collapse in Minneapolis as what happens with a failure to invest in infrastructure.

To meet its infrastructure needs, Abelow declared, the state must come up with new ways to pay for them.

Alliance President Philip K. Beachem was asked by reporters about increasing the state gasoline tax, and how much it would take to pay for the entire gamut of infrastructure needs outlined at the conference. He responded that it would require an increase of about 30 cents. Beachem stressed however that the Alliance awaits Governor Corzine’s funding plan or any other feasible proposals put forth to adequately fund New Jersey’s infrastructure needs.

Abelow also said a “multiplicity” of approaches will be needed to pay down state debt and invest in infrastructure needs.

Beachem concluded: “For well over a decade, legislators from both political parties have used fiscal gimmicks to pay for infrastructure investments in New Jersey. The old ways of funding these infrastructure needs must be revisited and revised by the Legislature and State Administration.”