Tom Kean Jr.

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.

The Senate Republican caucus announced today that they have unanimously voted to keep their strong leadership team in place for the next year. In addition, the senators also unanimously agreed to cast their votes for Senator Kean as the next Senate president.

The Republican legislative leadership this morning put pressure on the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) to keep the first gubernatorial debate scheduled for October 1.  

“The people of this State deserve to start hearing the candidates discuss major issues well in advance of the general election,” wrote Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) and Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Parsippany) in a letter to ELEC Chairwoman Jerry Fitzgerald English.  “A delay will reduce the impact and importance of the debate by placing it closer to major sporting events and placing it so close to the actual election that there will be little time to address issues that may arise in the course of the debate.

The leaders called Corzine’s request to hold the debate at a later date “an effort to obscure meaningful discussion of our State’s serious problems and the approaches to dealing with them.”

The governor has told voters to trust in the fantasy that a miraculous economic turnaround or another stimulus package will lift New Jersey out of a $10 billion hole. Trenton's leadership should acknowledge reality and call a session now to ensure the next governor has options for dealing with a fiscal crisis of unprecedented scope.

Senate Minority Leader ThoamsKean, Jr. (R-Westfield) said that two candidates with law enforcement backgrounds helps the Republican gubernatorial ticket.  

“What Chris Christie has been very clear on from day one in this process is he wanted someone who could have a working relationship with, who could bring their own skill sets to bear,” said Kean.  “I think [Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno’s] own experience in this regard – law enforcement or otherwise – is a tremendous asset.”

Kean referred to Guadagno’s “executive experience” as sheriff several times in a conversation with PolitickerNJ.com.  

He also said that Gov. Corzine’s selection process so far has mirrored his first term.

“It’s a very clear contrast to Jon Corzine, who has been the undecider-in-chief for the last four years,” said Kean.   

Senior Freeze are great, but they are no substitute for common sense tax and spending reforms that would make New Jersey more affordable to everyone. Governor Corzine should be apologizing for not providing the tax relief he promised when he first ran for governor, not touting increased spending that is a direct result of his failed policies.

Far from the three days they originally requested to interview state Supreme Court Justice Barry Albin, it looks like Republicans will get part of an afternoon.

The Senate Judiciary Committee, which has been meeting since 10:00 a.m., has a long agenda today, and they’re expected to address Albin’s renomination at the very end of it.  As of 1:35 p.m., Albin had still not testified, and staffers said the expected to have him on between 2:00 p.m. and 2:30 at the earliest.  

But state Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Hamilton) said that the late start won’t keep him from questioning Albin thoroughly, even if the meeting runs past dinner.  

"I'm looking forward to a thorough and complete review of justice Albin's nomination. I'm prepared for a thoughtful discussion that our state constitution demands. And ill stay all night if we have to,” he said.

CHRISTIE OBSTRUCTIONISTS OPPOSED PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

“Christie’s Leadership Would Have Meant No Property Tax Relief”
 
TRENTON- Democratic State Committee Chairman Joseph Cryan today blasted Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie and his campaign leadership team, including Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr., Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce and newly anointed Republican State Chairman Jay Webber for voting against direct property tax relief for New Jersey residents.  Along with 16 other Christie Right Wing Republicans in the legislature, Kean, DeCroce and Webber all voted against the Tax Amnesty bill that today yielded hundreds of millions of dollars that will be returned to New Jersey homeowners in the form of direct property tax relief.

It's not who's spending, it's spending period!  Duh!!!

Getty Images Photo

Tom Kean, the State Senate Minority Leader, says he won't be a candidate for Lt. Governor this year

Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) took himself out of the running for Lieutenant Governor today, The Star-Ledger reports.

Kean did not say whether Republican gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie had asked him to be his running mate.  

“I gave my commitment to my caucus,” he told the paper.