Corzine

Senator Marcia Karrow, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, said the Corzine administration has quietly taken $850, 356 from shellfish protection funds as the state's budget crisis has worsened. The transfer of these dedicated funds was not authorized in the budget passed by the Legislature and threatens to shut down an industry that provides jobs well beyond the Jersey Shore, Karrow said.

Senator Gerald Cardinale, a Republican on the State House Commission, said that Governor Corzine has opened the door to corruption with his plan to sell the Camden State Prison property under a no-bid contract.

"New Jersey Pays Goldman Sachs for Swaps on Nonexistent Bonds"

Headline of a Bloomberg News article Published on Oct. 23

Four Republican senators held a news conference today to express their growing unease at the failure of Governor Jon Corzine to honestly address plunging tax collections.

The state treasurer said today that revenues have come in 3.1 percent below projections so far this year. If collections continue at that pace, the state will have a $1 billion deficit this year. The estimated budget deficit for next year is $8 billion to $10 billion. The governor is again doing too little. too late, then calling himself a man of action.

Senator Steve Oroho, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, said that given the news that New York state faces a growing fiscal crisis, it is alarming that Governor Jon Corzine stubbornly refuses to regularly update revenue collection numbers for New Jersey, as other governors have done in the past.

As a prime sponsor of legislation that would authorize Gold Star plates, I welcome the Star-Ledger's call to stop stalling and start honoring the parents of our fallen service men and women. These license plates will allow parents to express both their grief at heartbreaking losses and pride in the courage and honor of their sons and daughters.

Senate Budget Committee member Steve Oroho, R-Sussex and Hunterdon, said it's disgraceful that the Corzine administration approved a grant of $12 million today under the so-called Special Municipal Aid program without producing the performance audits required by law.

No neighboring state is suffering as much in this recession as New Jersey. There are no excuses that Governor Corzine can give that will make New Jersey feel better about the suffering of so many of our friends and neighbors.

Senate Republican Budget Officer Anthony Bucco and Senator Steve Oroho, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, criticize Governor Corzine for refusing to regularly update revenue numbers despite repeated requests for openness and transparency.