A transportation commission appointed by Gov. James McGreevey recommended Nov. 24 that New Jersey hike its fuel tax by at least 12.5 cents per gallon to fund repairs and improvements to the state’s roads.

The Blue Ribbon Commission also recommended raising the tax regularly to reflect inflation, the Newark Star-Ledger reported.

McGreevey convened the panel 10 months ago to study how to permanently finance the state Transportation Trust Fund and to make recommendations to the Legislature.

The existing $3.75 billion fund for roadwork expires in June, putting the state in a time crunch to find more money, the newspaper reported.

Although the governor did not immediately endorse the increase, he said in a statement, “It is clear that we need to act quickly to replenish transportation funding.”

The diesel fuel tax now is 17.5 cents a gallon. The gas tax is 14.5 cents.

Legislative leaders have said they are open to discussing the tax increase before the session ends in January. They also said they would tread carefully before endorsing a call for the kind of tax increase that might incite voters.