Corzine

Senators Say Governor Isn't Telling Taxpayers Where He's Spending $17.5 Billion in Federal Stimulus Funds

Governor Corzine won't let Morris County save money. He's demanding that the county filled an unneeded position with a political appointee. It's clear the governor's rhetoric about saving tax dollars does not match his actions. 

Shore protection, EMT training and arts funding should never have been cut in the first place because the Legislature dedicated fees and taxes to these programs. Now the governor has the resources not to deplete these vital programs.

With Republican First District Assembly Candidates Mike Donohue and Frank Conrad building momentum, Democrat Incumbents Nelson Albano and Matthew Milam will get a "pass" on the budget vote from Joe Roberts and the Camden Democrats who pay for their campaigns.

New Jersey Democrats aren't pushing through an irresponsible budget full of gimmicks and one-shots just because of the current economic crisis. They are pushing through an irresponsible budget because that's what Governor Corzine and his supporters have always done.

New Jersey state government will face the worst, most devastating fiscal crisis in its modern history starting next year, Senator Bucco said. To create the illusion of a lower budget, "Governor Deficit" has deferred billions of dollars in expenses that will create unprecedented shortfalls for future governors and legislatures. We should not approve this fiscally irresponsible legislation.

The question is the governor will act on his tough talk and really impose 7, 000 layoffs on state workers during an election year, or will he cave in again and come back with an even more generous counteroffer as the budget deadline of June 30 looms. The Legislature is running out of time, and the Constitution won't let us approve a budget that is $300 million out of balance, Senator Oroho points out.

Governor Corzine should tell districts now if they are going to lose $35 million in debt service aid. Stalling until after the budget is passed isn't fair to the school children of New Jersey.

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean asked why Governor Corzine has not released cost estimates of the concessions he agreed to before a campaign rally with Vice President Joseph Biden. According to a letter written by state union leaders to all their members, the concessions included putting hundreds of temporary workers into permanent positions at an unspecified cost to taxpayers. Kean called on the governor to live up to his promises of transparency and accountability, and release the Treasurer's best estimates of how many workers will become permanent and how much this policy change will cost taxpayers.

The fiscal crisis that Governor Corzine is creating is real and unprecedented in its scope. A two-year budget would help prevent governors like Corzine from saddling taxpayers with crippling debts just to win re-election.