By Christopher Lang
Editor
Posted Feb. 14, 1:10 p.m.

Public officials are not completely sold on Gov. Jon Corzine’s toll hike plan aimed at reducing the state’s $32 billion debt.

"A tax is a tax no matter which way you look at it," Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes said.

Gov. Corzine is proposing to use toll money to pay off half of the state’s $32 billion debt and to use other portions for transportation projects.

To accomplish this plan he wants to increase tolls roughly 50 percent in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. The proposed increases would include inflation. When outlining his plan he said that after 2022 the tolls would increase every four years through 2085.

But locally, officials’ support has been waning with some seeking more information.

Cresskill Mayor Benedict Romeo would not comment on the plan just yet saying that a group of local mayors were planning to discuss it at an upcoming meeting.

Said Mayor Sophie Heymann: "I think the right way to deal with it is to have a larger gas tax." The Closter mayor said that the governor’s proposal wouldn’t have a huge impact on her residents since many of them don’t travel on the toll roads. However, she added that the increases to travel into New York City have been a larger problem for Closter residents.

"I am still studying it," said Wildes, "but I am concerned that the net effect is going to be on the Jerseyans that have to drive to work."