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TODAY’S MORNING UPDATE July 3, 2009

 

TODAY’S MORNING UPDATE:   What You Need to Know, Wheeeeere’s Jonny?, Quote of the Day, Today’s News

 

 

What You Need to Know:

 

  • N.J. lawmakers approve bill requiring 'Made in the U.S.A.' flags only
  • Gov. Corzine joins legal fight to overturn federal ban on sports betting after several neighboring states leave N.J. behind

·         Chris Christie will be at the Fourth of July Parades in Ridgewood & Paramus for tomorrow’s festivities

 

 

Wheeeeere’s Jonny?:

 

·         July 3: ‘Ka-boom Fireworks on the Navesink’ at Marine Park, Red Bank

 

 

Quote of the Day:

 

Star Ledger: “N.J. Gov. Jon Corzine's $29 billion fiscal 2010 budget contains more than $1 billion in tax hikes. Virtually all New Jerseyans will be paying more taxes during a period of rising unemployment, foreclosures and bankruptcies. There is one word to describe this policy: dumb," Prof. Murray Sabrin, LTE: “NJ Budget Sets Wrong Course,” July 3, 2009)

 

 

Today’s News Clips:

 

  • Bait and switch, Trentonian

·         Christie on Obama visit, budget poll numbers and Albin confirmation, Politickernj.com

·         Political allies don't always sing in tune, New Jersey News Room

  • Capitol Hell: Arizona among worst states to govern: New Jersey Section, Politico

 

TRENTONIAN EDITORIAL: Bait and switch

Daily Trentonian

Friday, July 3, 2009

 

Addressing a luncheon for the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, Gov. Jon Corzine hailed the program and declared his unflagging support.

 

“I’m pleased to have an administration that is committed to it,” said the governor. “When we said we want to protect the vulnerable, we want to protect the vulnerable with every ounce of resources.”

 

Every ounce?

 

Well, maybe every ounce. But not, evidently, every dollar.

 

Corzine neglected to mention that he had siphoned off $5 million of the fund’s $6 million surplus.

 

Read Full Story

 

 

Christie on Obama visit, budget poll numbers and Albin confirmation

By Matt Friedman

PolitickerNJ.com

Thursday, July 2, 2009

 

Republican gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie said he doesn’t know for sure whether any of President Obama’s luster will rub off on embattled Gov. Jon Corzine when he visits in support of him later this month, but he doubts it. 

 

“I firmly do believe that it’s not a race about President Obama. I think it’s a race about Jon Corzine and his record, and me and my vision for what the future would be,” said Christie.  “I don’t think New Jerseyans are going to decide how to vote based upon who comes and visits.”

 

Read Full Story

 

 

Political allies don't always sing in tune

By Richard A. Lee

New Jersey Newsroom

Thursday, 02 July 2009

 

In a symphony orchestra, each musician has a specific role, but as a group they work in unison toward a common goal – to make beautiful music. If just one member of the orchestra decides to do things differently, the results can be disastrous.

 

The dynamics of symphony orchestras come to mind because of two recent events in which political allies appear to be singing from different song sheets.

 

The first of these took place last Thursday at a Congressional hearing on deferred prosecution agreements. For New Jersey Democrats, the session conducted by the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law provided an opportunity to score political points because the star witness was GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie and the agenda included questions regarding deferred prosecution agreements that took place while he was the state's U.S. Attorney.

 

Not surprisingly, Republicans charged that the hearing was politically motivated (Christie labeled the session a political circus after he finished his testimony). Meanwhile, Democrats argued that the hearing was needed to determine whether deferred prosecution agreements require additional oversight, as proposed in legislation co-authored by two Democratic New Jersey congressmen. That's not a bad argument – unless someone from your own party starts singing from a different song sheet.

 

And that's more or less what happened when a member of the Obama Administration testified that deferred prosecution agreements – in their current form -- have been an effective part of the federal government's efforts to combat corporate fraud. He also warned that the proposed legislation would weaken those efforts.

 

Read Full Story

 

 

Capitol Hell: Arizona among worst states to govern

by Michael Falcone

Politico

Thursday, July 2, 2009

 

Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine is running out of time. Unlike most other incumbent governors up for reelection who have another year to start turning their state economies around, the New Jersey governor doesn't have that luxury.

 

Corzine is facing a bruising off-year contest in the fall, and he has less than five months to convince voters to back him over former United States Attorney Chris Christie. Corzine has his work cut out for him: Recent polls show him trailing Christie by more than 10 points.

 

Read Full Story

 

CD11: Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen's eNews - July 2, 2009

Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen's eNews - July 2, 2009

1. The Week Just Past
2. Independence Day?
3. Aftermath of Passage of a defective Cap and Trade bill
4. Bad Idea of the Week: Incomplete Cyber-Protection

The Week Just Past

“This week marked an important milestone for Americans and Iraqis. The U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement required all U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraqi cities by June 30. Under the leadership of Morris County’s own General Ray Odierno, our forces met this ‘deadline’ with time to spare. Building on the success of the ‘surge’ and a successful counterinsurgency plan, we have been withdrawing slowly over the last eight months and the final units have moved out of the cities over the last several weeks.


Food for Thought from the Tax Foundation

Some Food for Thought on the Fourth of July

“Excessive taxation … will carry reason and reflection to every man's door, and particularly in the hour of election.”
--Thomas Jefferson

“The mode of taxation is, in fact, quite as important as the amount. As a small burden badly placed may distress a horse that could carry with ease a much larger one properly adjusted, so a people may be impoverished and their power of producing wealth destroyed by taxation, which, if levied in any other way, could be borne with ease.”
--19th century American Economist Henry George

“An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, the power to destroy.”
--Daniel Webster

“We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”
--Winston Churchill

“A government which lays taxes on the people not required by urgent public necessity and sound public policy is not a protector of liberty, but an instrument of tyranny. It condemns the citizen to servitude”
--Calvin Coolidge

“He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation... For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent.... We, therefore... solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States. “
--The Declaration of Independence


Today's Morning Update July 2, 2009

 

TODAY’S MORNING UPDATE:   What You Need to Know, Quote of the Day, Today’s News

 

What You Need to Know:

  • Expanded Absentee Ballot/Vote-by-Mail bill (AS 2451) signed into law allowing for larger window of voting
  • Obama to campaign for Corzine at July 16 rally

 

 

Quote of the Day:

 

Asbury Park Press: “The Wall Street Wizard promised four years ago to change the way Trenton budgeted, but he just couldn't say no to the state employee unions and the Democrats in the Legislature, so the budget ballooned year after year. He also didn't say no to hiring thousands of temporary and politically appointed state employees who are not union members. Now, he's forced to use billions in one-shot gimmicks, including this latest "found" money, but all that just pushes the bill off into the future. The middle class is already stuck with 8.8 percent unemployment, skyrocketing property taxes and real pain. Corzine's gimmicks will just make it worse in the years to come. Eight years of Democratic shenanigans from the McGreevey and Corzine administrations is enough. It's time to do something to really change New Jersey," Glenn Ferguson, LTE: “’Found’ money another gimmick,” July 1, 2009)

 

 

Today’s News Clips:

 

  • Christie Makes Inroads Among NJ Democrats Against Corzine, CQ Politics
  • Budget "pass" misses mark, Asbury Park Press
  • Christie maintains lead over Corzine in poll, Examiner.com
  • How does $725M magically appear?, Courier Post
  • Evesham returns to GOP control, Courier Post

 

 

Christie Makes Inroads Among NJ Democrats Against Corzine

By CQ Political Staff

CQ Politics

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

 

Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie is leading New Jersey Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine 45 percent to 39 percent with 15 percent undecided, according to a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll conducted June 22-29. The margin of error is 3.5 points.

 

That's somewhat closer than a Public Policy Polling survey released Tuesday in which Christie led 51 percent to 41 percent, but Fairleigh Dickinson's Peter Woolley says "Even though it's early in the campaign, it is remarkable that a Republican is running ahead in New Jersey."

 

Christie's favorable-to-unfavorable ratio is 34 percent to 25 percent with another 28 percent saying they had not formed an opinion. Fifty-four percent see Corzine unfavorably compared to 31 percent who express a positive view of him. Among Democrats, 48 percent view Corzine favorably and 37 percent view him unfavorably. Only 66 percent support him for re-election while Christie gets 20 percent of Democratic votes.

 

Read Full Story

 

 

Editorial: Budget "pass" misses mark

Asbury Park Press

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

 

When Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed the $29 billion budget for the 2010 fiscal year, he could have dislocated his shoulder patting himself on the back.

 

Taxpayers should not be fooled into believing the budget actually involves the state spending less money and making "tough choices." Corzine's claim that the spending plan taking effect today is $4 billion less than the $32.9 billion budget enacted a year ago is true in only the most narrow technical sense. Actually, only $30.1 billion of that amount was spent as the economy crashed and burned.

 

The smoke and mirrors don't end there. The $29 billion bottom line also doesn't count $2.2 billion in federal stimulus aid aimed toward supporting key line items, mostly school funding and Medicaid, off the books.

 

The biggest spending cut? That's a $940 million reduction in pension payments, which will have to be made up later. The continuing assault on New Jersey's taxpayers and pushing off debt to future administrations are nothing to brag about.

 

Read Full Story

 

 

Christie maintains lead over Corzine in poll

by Mark Impomeni

North Jersey Conservative Examine

Thursday, July 2, 2009

 

Republican candidate for governor Christopher Christie continues to lead incumbent Governor Jon Corzine, according to a new poll released in the governor's race.  The Public Mind poll shows Christie with a statistically significant 45-39 percent lead over Corzine, although Corzine has narrowed the gap from 42-33 since the last poll by the group in April.  This is the sixth consecutive survey showing Christie with a healthy lead over the Democrat, and the only one of the six to show him garnering less than 50 percent.

 

Read Full Story

 

 

Editorial: How does $725M magically appear?

Courier Post

Thursday, July 02, 2009

 

Taxpayers should have doubts about tax amnesty money showing up at the last second.

 

When can you trust a politician? (Never, right? Perhaps.)

 

At the very least, it's hard for us to believe the all-too-perfect sequence of events that led to the state suddenly finding $725 million in money brought in by a tax amnesty program -- money that seemingly fell from the sky at the zero hour and helped Gov. Jon Corzine and state legislators restore property tax rebates for some New Jersey homeowners.

 

Read Full Story

 

 

Evesham returns to GOP control

By BRIDGET SMITH

Courier Post

Thursday, July 02, 2009

 

Three new council members took office here Tuesday night, returning Republican control to the governing body two years after a surprising upset by Democrats.

 

Flanked by family members, Kurt Croft, Joe Howarth and Deb Hackman took office at the annual reorganization meeting.

 

The three were elected in May on a platform of fiscal responsibility and have vowed to conduct an audit of the township's finances. They have also opposed a plan to build a senior center on Tuckerton Road.

 

But on Tuesday night, there was little talk of potential disagreements, with both sides on the five-member council focusing instead on working together to improve the community.

 

Read Full Story

 

D26: CORZINE’S LIQUOR TAX KICKS IN AUGUST 1

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce: ENJOY THE JULY 4TH CELEBRATIONS BECAUSE THE NEXT HOLIDAY WILL COST YOU MORE.


GOVERNOR CORZINE’S LIQUOR TAX KICKS IN AUGUST 1


OBAMA DISAPPROVAL GROWS IN NEW POLL

CRACKS IN OBAMA FAÇADE AS DISAPPROVAL GROWS,
QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY NATIONAL POLL FINDS



VOTER OUTLOOK ON ECONOMY, NATION IMPROVE

President Barack Obama’s first five months in office have seen his job approval remain stable overall – currently at a politically healthy 57 – 33 percent, but his disapproval has risen 8 – 10 points among several key demographic groups even as the national mood has improved somewhat in recent months, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.


Today's Morning Update July 1, 2009

TODAY’S MORNING UPDATE:   What You Need to Know, Polling Update, Quote of the Day, Today’s News

What You Need to Know:

  • Corzine-CWA agreement inked
  • New fiscal year begins
  • Cigarette tax increase, others, take effect due to Corzine budget

Polling Update:

June 24:       Christie 51%, Corzine 39% - Strategic Vision

June 30:       Christie 51%, Corzine 41% - Public Policy Polling

July 1:          Christie 45%, Corzine 39% - Fairleigh Dickinson University

 

Points of Interest:

Christie leads significantly among Independents (PPP poll): Christie 60%, Corzine 26%

Corzine has an usually large split among his Democratic base (FDU poll): Christie 20%, Corzine 66%

Quote of the Day:

Asbury Park Press:Gov. Jon S. Corzine must think the taxpayers of New Jersey are stupid. Suddenly there is money to give property tax rebates to folks other than seniors.  I wonder if the fact that Corzine is behind in the polls by 10 points has something to do with finding this money.", Ronnie Maresca, LTE: “The Taxes Will Come, Just You Wait,” June 30, 2009)

Today’s News Clips:

·         New Jersey ushers in fiscal year with added, higher taxes, Star Ledger

·         Christie tells NJEA truths Corzine won't, Asbury Park Press

·         Merger plan more for show than saving dough, Courier News

  • State employees union members OK controversial contract, New Jersey Newsroom
  • Chris Christie Enjoys 'Unusually Lopsided' Lead Among Independents, National Review Online
  • Regionalization agreements endangered under Corzine plan, Examiner News

 

New Jersey ushers in fiscal year with added, higher taxes

by John Reitmeyer

Star Ledger

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Happy fiscal new year, Jersey residents.

New Jersey's fiscal year begins today, and with that comes higher taxes for smokers, high-income earners and businesses. Next month, hard alcohol and wine drinkers will pay more. It's all part of $1 billion in added and higher taxes folded into the $29 billion state budget Gov. Jon Corzine signed into law on Monday. The governor says the extra cash was needed to offset declining revenues during the recession.

Here's a look at the major tax increases:

Read Full Story

 

LTE: Christie tells NJEA truths Corzine won't

By Victoria R. Krezonis

Asbury Park Press

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The New Jersey Education Association endorsed Jon Corzine for governor during his first run. That was no surprise to anyone.

However, after taking office, Gov. Corzine attempted to reduce pension benefits for NJEA members as well as other union members in the state, without doing anything about the corruption in government. Only a huge rally in Trenton forced the governor to change his mind. The NJEA will quickly forget this ever happened, and they will endorse Corzine again.

Recently, after Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie decided not to seek the NJEA endorsement, the NJEA president called this a "snub." However, what Christie said was so logical that it received little attention by the NJEA and the media. His statement read in part, "I am not seeking the formal endorsement of your organization because it will require promises that the governor and I both know will not be kept by either candidate who makes them. . . . I have every interest in engaging in a dialogue with (NJEA) . . . about these important issues, but I have no interest in doing that in a setting where I would be seeking their endorsement, which only leads to pandering by politicians."

Read Full Story

 

Editorial: Merger plan more for show than saving dough

Courier News

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Gov. Jon Corzine is promoting the mandated elimination of the state's so-called nonoperating school districts — those without schools — as a cost-cutting first step toward larger government consolidations and property tax reform.

The forced mergers make sense — but they're little more than symbolic at this point. And not terribly meaningful at that.

Read Full Story

 

State employees union members OK controversial contract

By Tom Hester Sr.

Newjerseynewsroom.com

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Members of the largest state employees union have ratified a revised and controversial contract pact with the Corzine administration that calls for 10 unpaid furlough days and delays pay hikes in exchange for no layoffs.

Leaders of the Communications Workers of America announced Tuesday that 69 percent of the 13,055 members who voted supported the new pact. Member of four separate CWA state employee locals voted.

One unit, CWA Local 1033, voted against the pact, contending that it "breaks our contract and is not enforceable.''

Under the revised contract, employees will have to take 10 unpaid furlough days while seeing a wage hike delayed though December 2010 in return for the no-layoffs pledge. The workers will also be able to accrue up to seven paid leave days that can be used after next June 30. They will also not sustain any loss to their pension benefits.

Gov. Jon Corzine maintains the new pact will save more than $300 million in the 2009-10 budget he signed Monday but Republican legislative leaders and GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie contend the agreement will cost taxpayers more than that amount in the future, including two pay increases in 2011.

Read Full Story

 

 

Chris Christie Enjoys 'Unusually Lopsided' Lead Among Independents

Jim Geraghty

National Review Online

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

This lead is a bit smaller than a few other recent polls, but is within the margin of error: "In the first of what will be monthly surveys on the New Jersey race for Governor, Public Policy Polling finds incumbent Jon Corzine trailing Republican challenger Chris Christie 51-41. Christie has an unusually lopsided 60-26 lead with independent voters."

Read Story Online

 

Regionalization agreements endangered under Corzine plan

by Mark Impomeni

North Jersey Conservative Examiner

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

There was a time when New Jersey governors advocated for municipalities to regionalize services to save money.  Those days could be long gone, if a controversial school funding formula pushed by Governor Jon Corzine survives a test in court.  Loch Arbour, a tiny hamlet in Monmouth County is suing to prevent a law that would force the cancellation of the town's school and police services contract with neighboring Ocean Township from taking effect.

The provision canceling Loch Arbour's contract was part of the governor's School Funding Reform Act, signed into law last year.  Paul Mulshine writes in the Star-Ledger that a similar bill canceling 23 other shared services agreements has been approved by the Democratic controlled state legislature.  The bill would give Corzine the authority to impose a rateables-based funding system on towns like Loch Arbour that contract with other municipalities for school services, canceling the per pupil arrangements of most existing contracts.  For Loch Arbour, that could mean that the annual amount it pays to Ocean Township could increase more than five fold.

Read Full Story

ASSEMBLY MEMBERS ASK NEW YORK TO RESCIND TOLL HIKE

REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY MEMBERS ASK NEW YORK TO RESCIND DISCRIMINATORY TOLL HIKE ON NEW JERSEY


NEW YORK METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY SET TO DISCONTINUE E-ZPASS DISCOUNTS FOR NEW JERSEY DRIVERS

Five Assembly Republicans sent a letter to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, asking the New York agency to rescind a policy that will discriminate against New Jersey motorists.

Beginning July 12, E-ZPass users who did not purchase accounts through New York agencies will be charged the same rate as cash-paying customers. That means New Jersey E-ZPass users will face a 30 percent toll hike this month while those with New York accounts will have a 10 percent increase.

“Although anyone may register for E-ZPass in New York, this decision discriminates against the multitude of New Jersey residents who already have registered for accounts in their home state,” the letter states.

To view a copy of the letter – signed by several Republican northern New Jersey Assemblymen including Assembly Transportation committee member Scott T. Rumana, Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, Assemblyman Jay Webber, Assemblyman John Rooney and Assemblyman David C. Russo - CLICK HERE.


Chris Christie Live

HAPPENING NOW:
 
Chris Christie
 
live on the
Steve Malzberg Show
 
 
Click Here
to Listen Live NOW!

NJ GOP MORNING UPDATE JUNE 30, 2009

TODAY’S MORNING UPDATE:  , What You Need to Know, Quote of the Day, NJGOP Happenings, Statements on Corzine Signing the FY2010 Budget, Today’s News

What You Need to Know:

  • S3000/A4141 passed Senate (25-13), clarifies the procedure for how non-operating school districts will be eliminated
  • N.J. Attorney General Anne Milgram plans to unveil mortgage-fraud indictments

Quote of the Day:

Asbury Park Press: “Let's take responsibility for the great potential of change that our individual privilege to vote represents. Do your homework. Research the candidates' voting records on the state's quality of life issues. Make an informed decision in November to vote for a candidate with the character and integrity of some of our Founding Fathers. Let's take back our state one vote at a time and send a "Dear Jon" letter to our reputed economic genius," Tom Hansen, LTE: "Send Governor a 'Dear Jon' Letter", June 30, 2009)

NJGOP Happenings:

  • The New Jersey Republican State Committee is now interviewing for summer internships – for more information email internships@njgop.org

·         Follow the NJGOP on twitter

Statements on Corzine Signing the FY2010 Budget:



·         Chairman Jay Webber: "Governor Corzine has proven once again how out-of-touch he is…This budget marks the latest in a long line of spectacular failures by the Governor.  The good news for New Jerseyans is that, come November, we can make sure that this is his last such failure."

 



·         Chris Christie: “The tough decisions this budget passes on to hard-working New Jerseyans is a stark reminder our governor is unable to manage state finances or keep control of state priorities…This budget is not a victory, but a brutal setback for our struggling economy and middle class families.”

 



·         Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce: “Not only will many of the middle class miss out on a rebate, but their property taxes are going to increase…His indifference to those who are struggling to make ends meet is unconscionable.”

Today’s News Clips:

·         Jon Corzine or Chris Christie : Who would be N.J.'s education governor?, NJ.com

  • Loch Arbour : Tiny town's tax bills to double under Corzine's 'reform', Star Ledger
  • Corzine signs tax-hiking budget, Republicans united in opposition, Examiner.com
  • It's Easy To Cut the Budget When You Have No Other Option, National Review Online
  • Businesses face payroll tax hike, Asbury Park Press

Jon Corzine or Chris Christie : Who would be N.J.'s education governor?

by Joseph Wardy

NJ Voices Blogger

Monday, June 29, 2009

 

As education is one of the primary issues central to our consideration, who would be the Education Governor? The answer, to me, depends on where you place your allegiance.

 

Gov. Jon Corzine seems to be the choice based on the following: He is a strong supporter of NJEA and you may feel this union serves the kids as well as its constituents.

 

I am not in this camp as the union places its emphasis on the latter and not the former. Case in point: defending tenured teachers who are incompetent or mediocre. I could be swayed when I see union leadership supporting five-year modified tenure. I would imagine hell would freeze over first.

 

So, support for Corzine, at least with this issue, is a vote for the status quo. Don't be fooled by the higher standards that will be imposed. The system remains the same and the choices for parents and kids limited to the public school of their town.

 

Read Full Story

 

Loch Arbour : Tiny town's tax bills to double under Corzine's 'reform'

by Paul Mulshine

The Star-Ledger

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

 

The people in the Monmouth County community of Loch Arbour made the mistake of taking this seriously. Ten years ago, the town fathers cut a deal with neighboring Ocean Township that was the very model of efficiency. Ocean Township would provide police services and school services for Loch Arbour.

 

In return, Loch Arbour would pay Ocean Township an annual amount that was acceptable to both towns.

 

It was a win-win situation. So naturally the Corzine administration had to step in and turn Loch Arbour into a loser.

 

Read Full Story

 

Corzine signs tax-hiking budget, Republicans united in opposition

by Mark Impomeni

North Jersey Conservative Examiner

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

 

Governor Jon Corzine signed the state's $29 billion budget into law today, a measure that was opposed by every single Republican in the state legislature.  The budget increases taxes on cigarettes, hard liquor, wine, and families with incomes over $75,000.  The plan contains $4 billion less in state spending than last year's budget, but relies on $2.2 billion in federal stimulus money to make up for those cuts.  That stimulus money will not be available to plug holes in the budget after 2010.

 

When the budget was passed, Corzine said it was "unfortunate" that no Republicans voted for the budget.  But New Jersey Republicans took a page from their Congressional counterparts, who voted en masse against President Barack Obama's stimulus package.  National Republicans have been largely insulated from growing questions about the efficacy of the stimulus bill amid increasing unemployment and a continuing economic slump.  Similarly, by denying the governor a bipartisan vote on the budget, Republicans will be able to run against Corzine's tax increases and one-shot stop-gap measures in this fall's election.

 

Read Full Story

 

It's Easy To Cut the Budget When You Have No Other Option

by Jim Geraghty

National Review Online

Monday, June 29, 2009

 

New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine is touting the fact that by signing the budget today, he "became the first Governor of New Jersey in over six decades to reduce, two years in a row, the size and cost of state government."

 

Except that he really didn't have too much choice in the matter, as the state is facing a "historic tax-revenue collapse" and the state constitution requires a balanced budget. And the revenues started plummeting in the first months of the budgetary year last year.

 

And while the current budget does include some spending cuts, it also makes up the gap with $2 billion in federal stimulus money and raises taxes on wine and hard liquor, tobacco, and top earners. Oh, and if you win the lottery, the state is now taxing those winnings, too.

 

In light of all that, Corzine seems less like anything resembling a common-sense fiscal conservative than a man whose hand has been forced by the state constitution and a deep recession.

 

Read Full Story

 

Businesses face payroll tax hike

By Michael L. Diamond

Asbury Park Press

Monday, June 29, 2009

 

Beginning Wednesday, New Jersey employers will pay a higher payroll tax to replenish the unemployment trust fund.

 

The increase, which for some employers could top 20 percent, will ensure benefits continue to a wave of jobless workers. But it also is another expense for employers who themselves are struggling through the recession.

 

"It's significant for everybody," said Keith Lowy, president of Lowy's Moving Service in Neptune. "There's not much anybody can do about it. If you want to do business in any state, you have to continue to pay."

 

Read Full Story

 

 

D26: GOP Chairman Jay Webber on NJ State Budget

Statement By GOP Chairman Jay Webber On Governor Corzine Signing The 2010 State Budget

Chairman Jay Webber: "This budget marks the latest in a long line of spectacular failures"

“Governor Corzine has proven once again how out-of-touch he is. He has raised taxes $2.8 billion in the middle of a recession, and driven more of our relatives, friends, and neighbors out of state. Rather than provide the property tax relief he promised four years ago, today the Governor smacked the average New Jersey property taxpayer with a $1,200 increase for next year. This budget marks the latest in a long line of spectacular failures by the Governor. The good news for New Jerseyans is that, come November, we can make sure that this is his last such failure.”


D26: ASSEMBLYMAN ALEX DECROCE ASSAILS NEW YORK MTA TOLL HIKES

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce and Assemblyman Rooney ASSAIL NEW YORK MTA TOLL HIKES



NO E-ZPASS DISCOUNT FOR DRIVERS WHO REGISTER IN NJ

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce and Assemblyman John Rooney said the announcement by New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority that it will raise tolls 10 percent and that drivers who registered for E-ZPass in New Jersey will no longer be given a discount is patently unfair and is another example of how New Jerseyans are left to pick up the slack for New York.


D40: ASSEMBLYMAN SCOTT RUMANA ON NEW YORK CITY’S IMPENDING TOLL HIKES

Assemblyman Scott Rumana: EVEN FLEEING NEW JERSEY WILL COST MORE

NEW YORK CITY’S IMPENDING TOLL HIKES ON BRIDGES AND TUNNELS UNFAIRLY TARGET NEW JERSEY DRIVERS

Assemblyman Rumana has urged the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or MTA, to reconsider next month’s discriminatory toll hikes on New Jersey drivers.


Poll Shows Voters Disagree with Sotomayer’s Ruling on Affirmative Action

More than 70 percent of voters say diversity is not a good enough reason to give minorities preferential treatment

A June 3 poll showed American voters disagreed 71 – 19 percent with Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayer’s ruling in the New Haven firefighters’ case.


D26: Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce calls on Governor Corzine to use to his veto powers on the budget

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce : CORZINE STILL HAS OPPORTUNITY TO RESTORE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES


ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN LEADER CALLS ON GOVERNOR TO USE LINE-ITEM VETO TO SPARE MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES FROM $1,200 INCOME LOSS

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce today called on Governor Corzine to use to his veto powers on the budget approved by the Legislature Thursday in order to restore property tax relief for all middle income families.

“In the waning hours before Governor Corzine signs another budget, which was not unanimously supported by his own party and is filled with tax increases for the state’s middle class that can least afford them, New Jerseyans can only hope that their governor reconsiders continuing the same reckless policies that have placed this state in a disastrous direction,” DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic, said. “Instead of remaining intractably partisan, the state’s middle class needs the governor to embrace and enact the cuts we have recommended before it’s too late.”

Republican lawmakers have proposed $783 million in cuts to the budget proposal that Corzine has said was scoured clean and cut to the bone. The cuts include removing political appointees, reducing special aid given to select cities without oversight or criteria and eliminating government’s unnecessary cars and wireless devices.

“When the governor got his latest bailout – a one-shot infusion by rewarding tax scofflaws – he said he was restoring property tax rebates, but there will still be 1.2 million families losing much needed relief this fall,” DeCroce said. “The governor thinks that a family earning more than $75,000 doesn’t need relief from the nation’s highest property tax bill. We hear from New Jersey families every day who say they struggle and can’t afford the $1,200 that Corzine’s rebate elimination will cost them.

“There is clear disagreement between the governor and hard-working families of New Jersey. I tend to believe the people instead of a desperate governor,” DeCroce added.


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