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