The buzzword in the state Legislature these days is affordability. On Monday the Senate Budget and Appropriations committee considered a series of bills designed to help keep more money in people’s wallets. One bill would increase distributions to municipalities from an Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund, with those payments designed to decrease the municipal property-tax levy New Jerseyans have to pay. Another bill approved by the committee would provide some tax relief to renters. Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, believes the bills are a step in the right direction. Meantime, a bill to index state income-tax rates to inflation was also approved, even as New Jersey Policy Perspective cited concerns over the potential cost.

New Jersey gas prices now average over $3.65 a gallon, according to AAA, and could go higher still. What we don’t yet know is if the price increase will result in a significant number of people driving less. New Jersey sets its gas-tax rate each year based on fuel consumption, so it’s something that’s watched closely. Proceeds from the tax fund the state’s Transportation Trust fund.