NW Jersey News

Kate Gibbs, director of the Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative (ELEC825), expressed concerns over New Jersey's electric vehicle (EV) mandates, stating they threaten transportation trust fund revenues. She warned this could endanger road and bridge maintenance or result in higher property taxes. Gibbs made these remarks at a rally on June 18, 2024.

"These mandates put the only constitutionally dedicated revenue to support our transportation trust fund in severe jeopardy," said Gibbs. "Without that dedicated funding, that is responsible for statewide transportation improvements but also hundreds of millions of dollars a year in local aid, it means that either our roads and bridges will crumble and not be maintained, or we'll have to make up those funds with local property taxes—something we know New Jerseyans can't bear."

In November 2023, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection adopted the Advanced Clean Cars II rule. This regulation requires all new light-duty vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035, aligning New Jersey with California's vehicle emissions standards.

According to a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released in February 2024, half of New Jersey residents oppose the state's plan to phase out new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. Furthermore, 47% of respondents expressed concerns about potential negative impacts on their personal finances due to the new rule.

The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) launched a campaign in December 2023 opposing the state's EV mandate. The association argues that it could harm the economy and exacerbate income inequality. NJBIA claims that the mandate imposes stringent and unrealistic requirements on automakers and consumers, potentially leading to economic challenges.

Gibbs serves as Deputy Director of ELEC825, where she leads business development initiatives focused on promoting economic growth and advocating for infrastructure investments. Elected in 2015 as a Burlington County Freeholder, she became the youngest woman in New Jersey to hold countywide office and later served as Freeholder Director. Gibbs holds an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Drexel University's LeBow College of Business and a BA in Public Communications and Political Science from The American University.

The Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative (ELEC825) is a collaborative trust uniting unionized construction workers and contractors to promote economic development and infrastructure investment in New Jersey and surrounding areas. Established in 2010, ELEC825 focuses on creating job opportunities for members of Local 825 Operating Engineers and its signatory contractors while actively engaging in political advocacy, government relations, and strategic communications.