MISSION ACCOMPLISHED?
'I think when they get the check, they'll be happy
and say that we delivered.' - Senate President Richard J. Codey

SOME OPPOSING OPINIONS:

Some weeks ago, Corzine the big talker said: "The public isn't stupid. They've been promised relief more often than they care to remember." So now the governor and his legislative majority are setting the table with crumbs and hoping the public can be bamboozled into thinking that it's about to sit down to a feast.
- 'Reform' blowhards, Editorial
The Trentonian, February 7, 2007

The governor and Legislature have failed them (the New Jersey taxpayers) again.
- A failing grade, except for check, Editorial
Gloucester County Times, February 7, 2007
A lot of spin is under way to convince taxpayers the legislation adopted this week is groundbreaking. Don't believe it. In fact, the promised rebates are only slightly more than what homeowners got in 2004. Only in Trenton would returning to what we had three years ago be considered progress. And the rebates could shrink just as quickly because, despite Corzine's demands that the reductions be sustainable, there's no long-term guarantee that the money will be available two or three years from now.
- Progress, Trenton style, Editorial
The Star-Ledger, February 08, 2007

No matter how the state Democratic leadership wants to dress it up, this is not lasting relief.
- Day late, dollars short, Editorial
The Record of Bergen County, February 7, 2007

At best, the property tax reforms making their way through the New Jersey Legislature are disappointing. Unless Gov. Jon Corzine uses the full power of his office to strengthen them, the state will continue to be plagued by the highest property taxes in the nation.
- Backsliding on property taxes, Editorial
The New York Times, February 4, 2007

Tax reform is a charade. After months of bluster and filibuster, New Jersey has a tax reform bill. If Gov. Jon Corzine signs it, New Jersey will have a tax reform law. But will New Jersey have tax reform? In a word, no.
- But will N.J. still be able to afford more smoke, mirrors?
Editorial, The Express-Times (Warren County)
February 7, 2007

It doesn't bring as much savings, especially for seniors, as New Jerseyans deserve. And, if the relief only lasts for a year or a few years, nothing will have been accomplished... But it cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be cause for Corzine and legislators to rest on their laurels. There's much work to be done to cut spending, make government more efficient, end pension abuses, make the relief permanent, give more relief to seniors and devise a better way to fund schools.
- Tax relief plan is only the first step, Editorial
The Courier-Post of Camden County, February 8, 2007

The public desperately wants property-tax reform. Indeed, the state needs overall tax reform if it to remain competitive and if people can hope to afford to live here, especially after they retire. But lawmakers are hardly inspiring confidence among the electorate. They've backed away from reforms that would begin to put state government on a firm fiscal footing - reforms such as more realistic state worker health and pension benefits and local government consolidation. They've even retreated from a reform that would send a powerful message that it's not business as usual in Trenton - the practice of dual-office holding... So, while it looks nice to pass bills cutting property taxes, the public isn't fooled. And it isn't likely to support measures as drastic as selling the Turnpike and the Lottery.
- Show us the money, Editorial
The Times of Trenton, February 7, 2007

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Assembly Republican Press Office / 609-292-5339