Camden County GOP Response to
Governor's State of the State Address

Corzine full of tough talk,
but failed record speaks for itself

HADDON HEIGHTS -- Democrat Governor Jon Corzine delivered his State of the State address this afternoon, and despite all the talk, Corzine and the Democrats have offered no substantive, long-term solutions to our fiscal problems.

For three years, Republicans have offered specific budget cuts and proposed the Common Sense Plan for an Affordable New Jersey that included several key reforms that would work to restore fiscal sanity in Trenton. Jon Corzine and the Democrats refused to budge, ignoring $1.3 billion in proposed Republican cuts last year and rejecting sound policy proposals.

The Governor said in his speech that New Jersey is a state committed to achievement and excellence, and yet the Governor himself, judged by his performance in office, is committed to neither.

"The fact is, Jon Corzine has done to New Jersey what his good friends on Wall Street have done to the entire country," said Rick DeMichele, chairman of the Camden County GOP. "The same way Wall Street schemed to pass the buck and avoid making tough decisions, Jon Corzine has dodged every opportunity to restore a responsible fiscal policy for New Jersey, and instead he has chosen to use every budget trick or gimmick in the book."

"The number one issue on the minds of Camden County residents is property tax relief," DeMichele said. "The Governor offered no solutions today that will help the people of Gloucester Township and Cherry Hill who are struggling with increasing double-digit property tax rates."

"The only way end the fiscal madness in Trenton is to throw Jon Corzine and the Democrats out to the curb," DeMichele added. "We cannot trust Corzine and the Democrats to regulate themselves, just as we cannot trust Jon Corzine's Wall Street friends to do the same. The people of New Jersey have to stand up and say they have had enough, and they will do that this November."

HOLDING LINE ON PROPERTY TAXES ESSENTIAL TO MAKING STATE AFFORDABLE
Greenstein, DeAngelo Support Governor's Call for Strict Enforcement of Tax Caps

(TRENTON) - Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein and Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (both D-Mercer/Middlesex) said Gov. Jon S. Corzine's plan to hold local officials' feet to the fire to ensure compliance with state law meant to limit property tax levy increases makes sense at a time when families are seeking ways to simply stay afloat, let alone pay their property tax bills.

Republican Senate Leader Tom Kean urges anyone interested in common sense fiscal policy to remain vigilant in the fight against the false savings promised by Governor Corzine's pension deferral plan.

Floats Idea to Let Towns Skip Pension Payments, Expect State to Do the Same

Senator Kevin O'Toole (R-40), a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, responded to reports that Governor Jon Corzine will offer municipalities the opportunity to defer up to $500 million of pension payments that they would otherwise need to make next April, requiring those payments to be paid over the following three years.

Republicans knew that the new COAH rules were a huge unfunded mandate. Now they know just how big. The best estimate is that it will cost communities $2 billion a year to meet these requirements for "affordable" housing.

GREENSTEIN: PROPOSED EXPANSION OF 'SENIOR FREEZE'
WELCOME RELIEF IN ECONOMIC STORM

(TRENTON) - Responding to Governor Jon S. Corzine's proposed expansion of the state's popular "Senior Freeze" property tax relief program to more older and disabled homeowners, Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein said she would take up the charge by sponsoring legislation in the Assembly to put the plan into action.

ADLER-SMITH BILL TO EXEMPT RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FROM PROPERTY TAXES SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators John H. Adler and Bob Smith which will exempt renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, from local property taxes was signed into law yesterday by Governor Corzine.

“One of the biggest challenges we face in the next decade is breaking our national reliance on foreign-produced fuel,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “I am sick of sending American money around the world to buy oil from countries that hate us. This law will help us grow our own economy and protect our environment at the same time, while reducing our dependence on foreign oil.”

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS DEMOCRATS REFUSE TO DEBATE: HIDING USE
OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS

Governor's spending plan assures higher taxes, fees and tolls

ADLER-SMITH BILL TO EXEMPT RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FROM PROPERTY TAXES APPROVED IN SENATE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators John H. Adler and Bob Smith which would exempt renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, from local property taxes was approved today by the Senate by a vote of 37-0.

“With skyrocketing fuel and energy costs, renewable energy is about more than just saving the environment,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “We should encourage more New Jersey families to turn to solar panels, and make sure that people can afford to go green.”