Want access to post press releases? To sign up, use this form. You must be logged in.
State Senators Leonard Lance, Andrew Ciesla and Henry McNamra
By wmurrayRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND PLAN NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
Emphasis On Borrowing Will Leave Our Children Paying The Bill
Senator Leonard Lance, (R-23) Senator Andrew Ciesla, (R-10), and Senator Henry McNamara, (R-40), issued the following statement regarding Governor Jon Corzine’s announcement of a Transportation Trust Fund reauthorization plan.
Senator Leonard Lance, (R-23) Senator Andrew Ciesla, (R-10), and Senator Henry McNamara, (R-40), issued the following statement regarding Governor Jon Corzine’s announcement of a Transportation Trust Fund reauthorization plan.
Senator Lance explained, “The cornerstone of the Governor’s plan is to restructure $1.8 billion in existing debt by extending the bond maturity from twenty to thirty years. This directly contradicts the recommendations of a Blue Ribbon Commission, which states, ‘the impending insolvency of the TTF is directly linked to decisions made over the past ten years to increase reliance on bonding, to extend the term of the bonds from ten to twenty years and to raise spending caps without additional revenue.’ The new plan only expands upon the bad decisions of the past and will in the end make the existing problems more severe in the future, only delaying the inevitable.�
Senator Ciesla expanded on this theme, “Senator Lance is exactly right. Any time the state borrows, the voters, who will end up paying the bill should be asked for their approval. In addition, I am deeply disturbed by the Administration’s refusal to dedicate constitutionally one hundred percent of the motors fuels and petroleum gross receipts taxes to the TTF. This one action would raise an additional $220 million for the TTF without raising taxes.�
Senator McNamara added, “By adding debt and not implementing structural reforms to the TTF we are once again forestalling the inevitable hard choices that need to be made to make the TTF solvent. This is just a short term fix. We will be having this conversation again in five years and it will be even harder to come up with a solution.
Senator Lance concluded, “The plan proposed by the governor should be seriously scrutinized to ensure that it does not violate the provisions of the New Jersey Supreme Court decision regarding bonding for operating expenses.�
Contributors
Wally Edge
Michael Doherty. a West Point graduate and one of the state's most conservative legislators, will take his seat in the State Senate today. A ... >
Bob Torricelli
Everybody needs to start a new job with a list of priorities and Chris Christie is no exception. There might be a thousand things that need to get ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
Political discourse in America contains much in the way of intellect or intellectual honesty. One considers the Federalist Papers with wistful awe: ... >
Jeff Michaels
As pundits and party leaders look to next year’s Congressional elections in NJ, it appears that freshman Democrat John Adler is the most vulnerable ... >
Richard LaRossa
When will NJ Republicans start acting like Republicans rather than Democrats. Time to stand up for your principles, assuming they have any left. >
Alan Steinberg
As in any transition, speculation is rampant as to whom Governor-elect Chris Christie will appoint as Chief of Staff, State Treasurer, and Attorney ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
Now that the dust has finally settled after the grueling campaign for governor, there are a number of lessons that we can draw from this ... >
Carla Katz
When he was growing up, Chris Christie's folks must have taught him that when he went to a new playground, he should pick a fight with the ... >
Joey Novick
Yes, I know, I know.
Since it’s Thanksgiving week, I decided that no one could really be a Putz of the Week this week. So, I decided ... >
Murray Sabrin
New Jersey voters repudiated Governor Jon Corzine's policies of the past four years on November 3rd. Republican Chris Christie and Independent ... >
Poll
Hot Topics
Most Active Stories
- Milgram charges GOP consultant over robocall impersonating Rumana staffer
- Dem leadership teams come together after emerging from caucus meetings
- Gallery packed with Garden State Equality activists as Doherty assumes oath of office
- Christie says Cryan should get out of chairman mode
- Runyan, now a Charger, announces NJ-3 congressional bid
- Wisniewski to make formal play for state party chair when Cryan makes departure official
- Pou won't rule out bid for Democratic State Party chair
- Goldstein leads 250 marriage equality activists for march on the Statehouse
- Stack: HCDO leaders need to put organization in order before trying to take out Cunningham
- Senate Democrats back Sweeney for senate president, says Sarlo
- Runyan, now a Charger, announces NJ-3 congressional bid
- Christie says Cryan should get out of chairman mode
- Gallery packed with Garden State Equality activists as Doherty assumes oath of office
- Milgram charges GOP consultant over robocall impersonating Rumana staffer
- Caruso says he had nothing to do with robocall
- Pou won't rule out bid for Democratic State Party chair
- Lesniak: bring gay marraige up for a vote
- Dem leadership teams come together after emerging from caucus meetings
- Spicuzzo nomination passes committee
- Qpac poll: voters support public worker wage freezes, layoffs
- Quinnipiac: Christie leads 50%-40%
- Quinnipiac poll has Christie ahead by 4 points as Corzine gets closer
- Christie, in West New York, takes questions
- Gore makes his case for Corzine
- Potential LG rivals Allen and Weinberg ally for county committee reform legislation
- Final debate schedule
- Torricelli on making perfection the enemy of good
- Autistic man seeks Assembly seat in 37th
- Jeb Bush attends Christie fundraiser
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
“A lot of blood on the floor.” - Senate President Dick Codey (D-Roseland), emerging from the caucus room after losing his leadership position to Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford)
Recent Press Releases
- Nov 25 2009
Syndicate
