WOLFE & HOLZAPFEL: CORZINE'S PROPOSAL TO RECYCLE TOLL HIKE SCHEME SHOWS HE HAS NO OTHER PLAN THAN TO BURDEN TAXPAYERS, COMMUTERS

Assembly Republican members Dave Wolfe and James Holzapfel today said the fact that Governor Jon Corzine plans to recycle his highly unpopular 800 percent toll hike proposal to pay down state debt is further evidence the governor does not have a sound, responsible plan to lead the state out of its economic crisis.

“Our residents are suffering under the highest tax burden in the nation, unemployment has soared for 20 straight months, people are losing their homes and businesses have and continue to close shop and relocate to neighboring states. And Governor Corzine’s only solution is to recycle his failed plan to lease the Turnpike which would result in another huge toll hike,” said Wolfe, R-Ocean and Monmouth.  “This certainly isn’t the leadership our residents need or deserve. Once again he plans to defy the people who overwhelmingly opposed the proposal the first time around.”

Governor Corzine told The New York Times Thursday he is considering reviving his highly unpopular proposal to lease the Turnpike and borrow $40 billion in an effort to pay down state debt.

It would increase tolls 800 percent and come on the heels of a controversial toll hike Governor Corzine pushed through last December when he circumvented the people and the Legislature and had toll increases for the Garden State Parkway, Turnpike and Atlantic City Expressway approved directly by the boards who control the toll road authorities. This came after vehement public and legislative opposition killed Corzine’s first two toll hike schemes.

Holzapfel said the governor clearly does not understand the pain and suffering the state’s economic crisis is causing New Jersey residents.

“It’s unimaginable that Governor Corzine would even consider bringing back this scheme which the public and Republican legislators successfully defeated last year,” said Holzapfel, R-Ocean and Monmouth. “If the governor were as relentless in cutting spending, taxes and borrowing as he is in trying to push through his ‘monetization’ plan, we all would be much better off.”

“The reality is families are losing their jobs and homes, businesses are going bankrupt and people can no longer afford to live in New Jersey,” added Wolfe, a member of the Assembly Budget Committee. “Governor Corzine tries to blame the state’s economic crisis on the Wall Street meltdown.

“Make no mistake, New Jersey’s fiscal mess has been simmering for eight long years under Democrat rule,” he said. “The governor has no plan other than to make taxpayers pay for his failed leadership.”

Wolfe and Holzapfel noted Assembly Republicans have a common sense plan to reform state government which includes a proposal that restricts the government’s ability to borrow and does not rely on higher tolls or taxes. Governor Corzine and Democrat legislators continue to ignore the plan.

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