Gas prices on average in New Jersey are around $4.21 a gallon, up a penny from Thursday but down from the record earlier this month.

Lawmakers in New Jersey and on the federal level continue to push for ways to help cash-strapped drivers deal with the increase in prices.

State Sen. Ed Durr wants an immediate tax rebate of $250 or $500 for families who qualify. State Sen. Shirley Turner called for New Jersey to adjust the gas tax for two months.

On the federal level, a bill known as the Gas Rebate Act of 2022 would give people making less than $75,000 a year $100 a month every time the national average tops $4. 

“I don't know what the solution is other than lower prices,” says Jess Kelly. “It's crazy. I don't know how people can get to work, make their living when you have to be paying this much just to commute back and forth.”

Speaking on News 12's Ask the Governor Thursday evening, Gov. Phil Murphy said the quickest solution would be on the federal level. 

"The best move in my opinion bar none is for the feds to do a federal gas tax holiday. They can print money. We can’t. That to me is the best move we can make,” said Murphy.

At Wednesday night's Toms River Council meeting, members unanimously passed a resolution calling for President Joe Biden, Congress, Murphy and the state Legislature to suspend federal and state gasoline taxes until 2024.

One year ago, prices in New Jersey averaged $2.94 a gallon.