Ocean City, NJ, June 26, 2009:  June 25, 2009, marks a dark day in the history of New Jersey’s economic outlook.  Once again the Trenton Democrats passed a budget full of tax increases and one-shot accounting tricks designed to allow their bloated liberal agenda to continue.  That agenda has expanded state government spending by tens of billions of dollars and increased the tax burden on everyone in New Jersey.   “When New Jersey residents woke up this morning to start their day, they were not better off because of the Corzine Democrats’ actions last night.” Donohue says.  “Can anyone in New Jersey say that they are better off today than they were when Corzine took office or when Jim McGreevey took office?”   “Yesterday, the voters had Property Tax Relief, today, it’s gone.  Yesterday, they had a broad property tax deduction, now it’s gone.  Yesterday, the citizens of the First District had dedicated shore protection and tourism funding, now it’s gone,” Donohue says.  “It is sad but not shocking to NJ familes. They have been suffering from increased taxes and over regulation for a long time under both the McGreevey and Corzine administrations.”   “And it has been the McGreevey-Corzine-Albano-Milam coalition that has helped the Trenton Democrats rob the citizens of any opportunity for prosperity.  From new payroll taxes, to new COAH taxes, to new property tax in our rural communities, to new spending for Camden and Newark at our expense, Albano and Milam have stood with McGreevey and Corzine every step of the way.  Statistically, Albano and Milam have supported this liberal agenda more than 95% of the time.  One budget vote does not change that record,” Donohue says.   “And that vote,” Donohue continued, “is an orchestrated bit of political theater designed to hoodwink the voters into believing that Albano and Milam are not Corzine Democrats.  Are they going to now endorse Chris Christie?  Are they going to now caucus with Republican Assembly Leader Alex DeCroce?  NO!  Albano and Milam are going to gather with the rest of the Corzine Democrats and do what they can to re-elect Jon Corzine.”   “Corzine has systematically attacked tourism and shore protection, which are the economic engines in the 1st Legislative District,” Donohue said.   “From the Hotel/Motel Tax to the latest attack on tourism and shore protection, clearly the Corzine Administration thumbs its nose at the economy of the 1st Legislative District and our incumbent Democratic legislators appear completely incapable of helping us.”   “So what did Albano and Milam promise Jon Corzine and the Democrat bosses in order to get a pass on the budget vote and when did they promise it?” Donohue asks. “We know that Corzine, Codey, Roberts and Norcross play political hardball and never give something for nothing.”   “The spotlight that our campaign has focused on Albano and Milam forced them to seek a pass.  Because of that spotlight, did they make a deal with the devil to get a pass? The question from 1st Legislative District voters is, “What did you promise and when did you promise it?” said Donohue.   * * *