GOP senators propose transportation plan minus gas tax hike

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Republicans have introduced a plan they say shores up a fund to pay for road, bridge and other infrastructure work without raising the gas tax.  State Sens. Jennifer Beck and Michael Doherty introduced a seven-year plan at a news conference on Monday.The plan calls for a $1.6 billion transportation trust fund with the money coming from a combination of places including projected budget growth, revenue from Motor Vehicle Commission violations and implementing Gov. Chris Christie’s changes to the public pension.  The proposal comes as the Democrat-controlled Legislature and Christie wrangle over the fund, which lawmakers say runs out of authority for new spending next year.  Democrats say raising the gas tax is required. Christie says Republicans should back a plan only if raising gas taxes includes offsets.