LAUTENBERG FAILS TO FIGHT FOR NEW JERSEY TAXPAYERS

LAUTENBERG FAILS TO FIGHT FOR NEW JERSEY TAXPAYERS

- New Jersey Taxpayers’ Dollars Spent Everywhere but New Jersey -

Lawrenceville, NJ - Today Dick Zimmer, candidate for U.S. Senate, issued the following statement after The Record reported that New Jersey is again dead last among the 50 states in the rate of return it gets back from its federal tax dollars. 

“Frank Lautenberg has been sitting on the sidelines while other states take money out of the pockets of New Jersey citizens to build ‘bridges to nowhere’ and other pet spending programs,” Zimmer said.  “His inability to effectively lead in Washington has resulted in New Jersey citizens footing the bill for pork projects elsewhere.  For 24 years, he has had the opportunity to fight to advance the interests of New Jersey.  He had his chance, and he has let us down.  The time has come to repudiate the pork barrel politics of the past, and elect someone who will fight against wasteful government spending and work to keep our tax dollars right here at home in New Jersey."

On July 9, 2008, Herb Jackson of The Record wrote an article entitled, “Your Tax Dollars at Work – in Other States,” which reported the following:

“…Frank Lautenberg has served nearly 24 years in Washington and has not been able to improve the state’s rate of return on taxes.  The most recent data show 61 cents of every dollar that was paid in taxes came back in spending, a drop of 8 cents since Lautenberg first ran for Senate in 1982. And New Jersey ranks far below New Mexico, No. 1 on the list, collecting $2.03 from every $1…” 

To view The Record article, click here.

“New Jerseyans should be outraged,” said Kristen Hainen, Communications Director for the Zimmer for Senate campaign.  “People are facing soaring gas prices, a slow economy, and an energy disaster.  Frank Lautenberg has done nothing while New Jersey taxpayers are pushed to the bottom of the totem pole.  For too long Lautenberg has been a part of the problem, Dick Zimmer has solutions.  Time and time again he has failed, and it’s time New Jersey voters elect a true leader to the U.S. Senate.”

###