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Three Ring Circus
May 9, 2008
STATEHOUSE CHATTER
Legislators are asking leadership that their bills not move. It seems that they do not want their bills held hostage by Governor Corzine’s budget “negotiations”.
May 8, 2008
STATEHOUSE CHATTER
Corzine tries to cut through the knots of the budget, with a butter knife – When it takes a steak knife
May 7, 2008
MEDITATIONS
New Jersey is in a depression – Over its State government
May 6, 2008
2009 BILLBOARD
Sick from State government madness? Take the cure, vote them out!
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Three Ring Circus Archive
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Today's Top News
 Here we go again ...
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Daily Muse: GROUNDHOG DAY
May 9, 2008
In the movie “Groundhog Day,” TV weatherman Phil Connors keeps reliving Feb. 2, trapped in a seemingly endless time loop with no end in sight.
In New Jersey, it looks like we’re about to relive our own version of Groundhog Day – only we’re not waiting to see if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, we’re waiting to see if Jon Corzine has learned his lesson when it comes to toll hikes.
So far, it looks like the governor needs to go back to the books.
Corzine was on WOR Radio Thursday, where he said he plans to reintroduce a new toll hike plan right after he gets done with the budget.
His original toll hike plan called for the tolls to be increased by 800 percent over 14 years.
So what’s he got in store this time?
Surprise! Just like last time, he won’t tell us.
"As soon as this budget is over, I'm going to come back and make other suggestions, pull together a number of the ideas that are floating around," Corzine said. "It has to be reasonable but it also has to be something that actually addresses the problems of the state."
Hmm. We don’t need a script to read this. Corzine still wants a toll hike. He still wants to pay for an extensive road and bridge repair program. He still wants to pay down the debt.
He still wants toll road drivers to pay for it.
Haven’t we already lived through this once?
“There have been discussions of pared-down toll increases, some of which are going to have to occur just to do projects that are already in the planning stages and engineering stages, like widening the turnpike and fixing the bridges," Corzine said.
Read that as saying toll hikes are coming. Read that as a 45 to 50 percent hike, just like Sen. Ray Lesniak – the most pro-toll hike person in the Legislature – and Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri are pushing for, just to pay for the projects that the Turnpike Authority says it needs. And read that as saying the Turnpike Authority will pass these increases on their own, to give the Legislature cover to pass their own second toll hike this summer.
We don't need an advance copy of this script to know that it also looks like tolls on Interstates 78 and 80, like Lesniak wants, may be getting a second look.
"I'm not advocating it, but those are all topics that I think should be debated and discussed and I'll come out with a proposal," Corzine said. "It'll be after the budget."
Because we've done this before, we think you can read that as saying that while Corzine’s not advocating it, but he’ll “reluctantly” support it after Lesniak puts it in the bill.
Corzine also told WOR that he is hesitant about increasing the state's 14.5 cent per gallon gas tax, which is the nation's third lowest.
"We're not looking to make a very difficult financial situation for New Jersey taxpayers, New Jersey citizens, worse," he said.
Oh please. If that were the case, he wouldn’t be looking to wring more toll money from us.
They also wouldn’t be looking to add a new water tax. They would be pushing to recoup wasted tax dollars. They would be passing pension reforms. They would freeze spending and hiring.
Does he think that if he keeps ignoring it, we'll all just forget that these are our tax dollars?
At least at the end of “Groundhog Day,” Connors has learned his lesson and moved on with his life. In New Jersey, Corzine hasn’t learned to maximize the money we already give him. He hasn’t learned to eliminate every dollop of waste in the state budget before asking us for more. He still hasn’t learned that the problem in New Jersey is not that we give Trenton too little, it’s that they spend too much.
No, he’s apparently learned that he has to try to move his new toll hike plan forward as fast as possible, with a few tweaks around the edges.
So get ready New Jersey. It's about to be "Groundhog Day" in Trenton -- and we're going to have to beat back this plan all over again.
Read More | Daily Muse |
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Daily Muse: BLOOD FEUD
May 8, 2008
Forget Lautenberg vs. Andrews. Ignore Myers vs. Kelly.
The nastiest political fight these days may well be Carla Katz vs. the CWA.
The latest salvo involves a $20,800 contribution made by CWA Local 1034 to the 2006 campaign of Newark Mayor Cory Booker. The Star Ledger reports that Katz’s opponents within the union have charged that she made the donation to Booker without authorization from the local’s governing board.
The charge is being looked into by an union investigator appointed by the CWA – which the Ledger says is looking at not only the Booker donation, but whether Katz made hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions to political campaigns without authorization.
And the union also fired a shot at Katz, questioning whether Katz approved the contribution because of her "close personal relationship" with Booker, according to the April 30 letter from CWA President Larry Cohen to the union's national executive board.
In fact, according to the Ledger, “the letter indicates Cohen and the union's top officials have decided there is enough evidence to warrant a full-blown inquiry into whether ‘local funds and resources were being misappropriated.’ Cohen declined to be interviewed, saying through his spokeswoman ‘it's an internal union matter that is going forward as governed by CWA's constitution.’"
An angry Katz blasted her opponents.
"Any donation the local made to the Booker campaign was absolutely proper. These claims are outrageous, sexist and continued retribution for my opposition to the state worker contract last year. Frankly, it's disgusting," Katz told the Associated Press.
Katz attorney Paul Fishman told the AP that everything was "done in a fully appropriate manner."
"This is exactly why Carla retained our firm because she's just sick of the campaign of retribution by the union," he said.
Making unauthorized campaign contributions are not illegal, but could violate union financial-management regulations and could lead to fines, suspension or expulsion from the CWA, according to the Ledger, citing Cohen’s April 30 letter. A complete list of 2006 CWA 1034 campaign donations can be found here.
This blood feud between Katz and some members of the CWA comes as Katz is running for a spot as national vice president.
Katz’s past relationship with Gov. Corzine, and questions over the reported $6 million she received in parting gifts when the two broke up have become fodder in the campaign. Five other state local presidents sent a letter backing Katz’s opponent, and detailing their concerns about Katz, her relationship with Corzine, and his gifts to her.
Katz’s opponents have created their own anti-Carla website, www.cwa1034membersfirst.org, which includes a page titled “Carla and the boss,” which includes links to stories about Katz’s relationship with Corzine, as well as links to copies of charges and countercharges. There’s also a page dedicated to unflattering quotes about Katz and/or Local 1034.
This is not a website put together by Katz's friends.
The CWA feud has its roots in Katz’s public opposition to the union contract negotiated by the Corzine administration, and backchannel e-mail communications between Katz and Corzine during the negotiations. Katz has already been publicly chastised by the union’s national leadership over those communications.
A dissident group within Local 1034 has also challenged Katz on a number of issues, and filed a series of charges against Katz with the national union office, which the union is investigating.
Booker, meanwhile, defended Katz in an interview with the Ledger:
"I've heard rumors about myself for years," Booker said. "I've never answered any questions about my personal life. As long as I'm a single guy, to me it's just something I'm not going to ever do. Unfortunately, Carla continues to be the subject of rumors, of innuendo by people she thought were really close to her."
"To me this is a woman that's been attacked every single which way. She's somebody that I do consider a friend of mine and I'm tired of seeing her -- years after the last gubernatorial election -- still being made out to be some kind of bad guy," Booker said.
This may well turn out to be the election to watch in New Jersey in 2008.
Read More | Daily Muse |
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Daily Muse: NYU SAYS NO
May 8, 2008
Gov. Corzine’s friends do a good job of taking care of him.
First, it was Javier Inclan, who resigned as deputy chief of staff, weeks after he testified that he passed on envelopes that he had “every reason to believe” contained cash to Mayor David Delle Donna of Guttenberg – a claim the jury later rejected.
Despite the furor raised by having someone who admitted to having a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy when it came to campaign cash as his deputy chief of staff, Cozine made no move against him. Instead, he “commended” him for his testimony -- and it took Inclan to remove himself from the governor's staff.
Now comes word from the Star Ledger that the NYU Child Study Center, which Corzine gave a $5.7 million donation, helped establish, and is run by two of his very good friends, has decided to decline a $2 million contract that they were awarded by the state of New Jersey.
"While we remain convinced of the merits of this groundbreaking program, we are taking this action today to eliminate any distractions that might impede necessary services from being provided as quickly as possible to some of New Jersey's most vulnerable children," the center's communications director, Beth Rowan, said in an e-mail to the Ledger.
Amazing, isn’t it, that it takes the governor’s friends to take these actions – rather than the governor himself?
Read More | Daily Muse |
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Daily Muse: PLAN B HAS ARRIVED
May 7, 2008
It’s called “You have arrived” and features a GPS navigation system helping people to arrive at their New Jersey vacation destination. It’s airing, according to the press release, from Toronto to Roanoke, Va. to Cincinnati to Long Island. Print ads, as well as billboards, will feature a GPS screen.
Now, what do GPS systems need?
That’s right, cars.
And what do cars need?
That’s right, gas and roads.
And what is New Jersey looking to make even less affordable?
That’s right, toll roads. And possibly gasoline.
Don’t you wonder how much New Jersey spent on an advertising campaign featuring car travel, just in time for car travel to become even more expensive in the Garden State?
Frankly, we thought we were going to get past the summer without a toll hike. Remember how Senate President Dick Codey on Monday said that the Legislature shouldn’t act until November on any toll hike plan?
Well, two key lawmakers apparently have other ideas.
Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney and Sen. Ray Lesniak said Tuesday that the New Jersey Turnpike Authority should just go ahead and hike tolls by 45 percent to make needed road repairs. They don’t want the authority to wait on the Legislature.
In other words, they want the authority to do what the public has clearly told the Legislature not to do – i.e., hike the tolls.
Can't you just hear the tourists getting on the phone to come to New Jersey now?
"No one wants to raise tolls, but the costs go up, and if I can improve my commute, use less gas, get there safer and quicker, there's a balance," said Sweeney, D-Gloucester. But here's the problem. Let's say the Turnpike Authority does raise the tolls by 45 percent to pay for road widening and repairs. We all know that won’t be it. No, 45 percent would be the opening gambit. Lesniak -- who we have dubbed the pied piper of toll hikes, because he always seems to be leading the way -- said just the other day that he didn't think one toll hike was enough. No, he thinks the tolls should be raised by another 45 to 50 percent in five years. Which, folks, would mean that our tolls would increase by 100 percent in just 5 years. He also wants new tolls on Interstates 78 and 80. Which, as the Asbury Park Press recently pointed out in an editorial, is initially even more ambitious than the governor's 800 percent plan, because it doubles the toll hikes in five years, rather than six. Now, as you no doubt recall, Corzine was saying that he wants the budget wrapped up by mid-June, so that the Legislature could move on a new transportation funding plan (read toll hikes) by July 1. And there he was again Tuesday, telling anyone who would listen that the state needed to move quickly to tackle the state's transportation and debt needs. "I believe that that is essential within the context of getting our economy moving," Corzine said. "It doesn't make sense, I think, to be tardy on fundamental issues." Now, perhaps it's just a coincidence that these key lawmakers, and Corzine, are pushing for action now. It could be, but our bet is this is further evidence that the governor hasn't backed off his toll hike scheme. Instead, it appears that he and his allies have hatched Plan B. First, they'll "ask" the Turnpike Authority to hike the tolls by 45 to 50 percent to pay for road projects. The authority, which is run by Corzine loyalists like DOT chief Kris Kolluri, will of course say yes, and pass the toll increase. Then, just as we are still reeling from that increase, then lawmakers will "reluctantly" attempt to hike tolls another 45 to 50 percent to pay for more road repairs, or maybe reduce the debt. And that would mean a 100 percent toll hike over the next 5 years. For his part, Codey insisted again Tuesday that the summer was too fast to move, telling the Star Ledger "that while he agrees that the Transportation Trust Fund is a priority, 'it's not going to be done before July 1. I admire (Corzine's) desire to do the right thing, but it's not going to happen overnight. I just think September, October, November is more realistic than being able to put something together when we're not concentrating on it, we're not talking about it, we're doing the budget until at least mid-June." The folks in tourism would no doubt be happy with that. But as Sweeney and Lesniak have pointed out, lawmakers can't stop -- or start -- the Turnpike Authority from taking action to raise the tolls on their own. And since the Turnpike Authority is made up of Corzine appointees, and with the governor talking about wanting to move fast, it's hard to see the Turnpike Authority waiting until the fall. And, if they do attempt to hike the tolls this summer, then it will be a question of when -- and/or if -- lawmakers will move on that second toll hike. And add a gas tax hike, or new tolls to Interstates 78 and 80, to boot. Remember, they moved in less than six weeks to completely overhaul the school funding formula. And our bet is Corzine and company will want to move just as quickly, before opposition to the toll hikes gets a chance to form. Of course, this shouldn't be Trenton's agenda this summer. They should be eliminating waste, fixing pension loopholes, and recouping our money. They shouldn't be dreaming up ways to ask us for more. Maybe they need a Taxpayer GPS system of their own to point them in the right direction. Because right now, Corzine and some lawmakers seemed determined to make toll hikes their number one summer vacation destination. And if that happens, it won't matter how much tourism spends on advertising. The only GPS systems that will be in use in New Jersey will be the ones leading the tourists -- and even more residents -- out of state, or trying to figure out how to bypass the state's toll roads. By the way, is tourism still looking for a new slogan? How about this: You have arrived in New Jersey. Leave your wallet at our tollbooths.
Read More | Daily Muse |
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Daily Muse: ... AND THE LIVING IS NOT SO EASY
May 6, 2008
We're less than a month away from the summer driving season, so you know what that means. Families busy making summer plans, and politicians busy looking for ways to find more money.
Republican presidential candidate John McCain and Democrat Hillary Clinton both want the federal gas tax suspended over the summer months to give drivers a break.
On its face, this sounds like a good idea. High gas prices should make the Jersey Shore a more attractive tourist destination -- and dropping the rate by the 18.4 cent federal gas tax should help even more.
So what does Gov. Corzine want to do?
"I do not support a federal gas tax holiday," Corzine said.
Well of course not. Far be it from from our governor to look to reduce the tax burden on his fellow New Jerseyans.
(Actually, the governor muddled this up so much during a CNBC interview that some actually thought he had changed his mind and decided to support a federal gas tax holiday -- which is what prompted him to put out a statement saying that no, he was still against the idea.)
But no worries, governor. We in New Jersey had little doubt that you were against a federal gas tax holiday.
Especially since your transportation commissioner had come out Monday with such dire warnings about what would happen to New Jersey if the tax was removed for three months.
New Jersey could lose about $190 million in federal transportation aid! That money's already been allocated for bridge and roadway projects! That could mean a loss of 6,300 jobs!
"New Jersey's robust tourism economy is dependent on maintaining the scarce resources that we currently devote to transportation infrastructure," Kolluri said.
Actually, New Jersey's robust tourism economy is also dependent upon New Jerseyans being able to afford to vacation, which is made more difficult by $3.40-plus a gallon gas and rising food prices.
Which is why it would seem -- to us, at least -- that not paying the 18.4 cents a gallon in federal taxes makes so much sense.
But what do we know -- we're just the taxpayers who have to pay this stuff.
And, not to sound like a broken record, but if the state is so worried about the $190 million it stands to lose, it could:
1) Use some of that $270 million that it has set aside to build five stem cell research centers;
2) Recoup the money wasted in the Medicaid program;
3) Implement some immediate pension reforms; or
4) Recoup the $1.2 billion in motor vehicle surcharges.
But far be it from Trenton for making saving the taxpayer money a priority this summer.
Sigh.
Meanwhile, this made us laugh. For only in the wacky world that is New Jersey could a new $2 convenience fee be billed as a way to save taxpayers money.
But the folks at the Motor Vehicle Commission are saying that they have saved the state $3.4 million by bringing the work in-house and no longer contracting with IBM to handle payments from drivers who want to avoid going to the MVC and pay their registration online.
Instead, drivers who use the online registration now have to pay a $2 convenience fee, which they never had to before. The money goes to Official Payments Corp., which is the new vendor handling the payment. So why couldn't the MVC handle the payments in-house too? The new fee started in February, with little to no fanfare. Usually, state departments fire off press releases to tout any cost savings. We couldn't find any on this.
But no worries, New Jersey. There was some good news: Senate President Dick Codey is willing to give us the summer off from toll or gas hikes.
He told Bloomberg News that the Legislature wouldn't consider any plan to revamp Corzine's 800 percent toll hike scheme until November at the earliest.
"After some tough cuts that affect a lot of people, it would be hard politically to do a huge toll increase," Codey said in an interview. "That's a lot to ask the public to swallow."
This probably was a disappointment to Corzine and his pied piper of tolls, Sen. Ray Lesniak, who wanted to move on a toll hike right after the budget passes in mid-June.
Undoubtedly, they wanted to capitalize on the summer tourism season. Come to New Jersey! Pay more in taxes! Pay more in tolls! Pay more to use our parks! But don't expect to go swimming or camping in them, because we don't have money to staff them!
No wonder the governor spends so much time in the Hamptons over the summer.
Read More | Daily Muse |
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Guest Column: “MACH SCHAU! MACH SCHAU!'' (The 10 Most Memorable Political Public Relations St
May 6, 2008
By DON SICO
In Bob Spitz’ extraordinary biography The Beatles, the author describes a scene in August of 1960 during the group’s very first gig in Hamburg, Germany. He portrayed the boys as “stiff as the punters who trickled into the club.” It was not what the club owner had anticipated in booking the group and he angrily called upon promoter Allan Williams to do something about it. At the next rehearsal, Williams yelled “C’mon boys, make a show!” The German club owner joined in, shouting “Mach Schau! Mach Schau!” The advice stuck; The Beatles became more animated and entertaining; and a gazillion record sales later, the most important musicians of the last century.
Recently, I have felt like shouting “Mach Schau!” at the boys (and girls) in Trenton. Politics under the State House Dome has become dull and lifeless. There is no political theater. There is barely an attempt to be creative and illustrate points of view in an effective and persuasive manner. It wasn’t always this way. In fact, some of the very same public policy makers who are now in charge were responsible for some of the most memorable political public relations stunts in the last quarter century. Here is my list of the 10 I remember best. (To see Don Sico's list of most memorable political stunts, read his guest column here.)
Read More | Guest Column |
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Daily Muse: REVERSAL OF FORTUNES
May 5, 2008
As Gov. Corzine and lawmakers in Trenton get ready for the latest round of revenue numbers – which will determine how much more they may have to cut the budget – there’s another set of numbers that they need to pay attention to.
A new report found that New Jersey was ranked 41st among the states in percentage of private-sector job growth last year, according to the Rutgers report.
New Jersey gained just 3,700 private-sector jobs last year, an increase of only 0.1 percent over 2006. In the first quarter of 2008, New Jersey has lost 10,300 jobs.
Now, before you dismiss this as an outgrowth of living in the Northeast, consider this: New York’s private sector job growth was 1.2 percent. The Empire State moved up from 28th among states in 2006, to 17th last year.
Pennsylvania’s job growth was 0.6 percent, ranked 29th among the states, up from 34th.
“In terms of job growth, New Jersey fell significantly behind its economic peer states in 2007. The state has lost its role as regional economic dynamo,” says the report, co-authored by James W. Hughes, dean of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Public Policy at Rutgers, and economist Joseph J. Seneca.
Now, given those figures, may we ask:
Is now the best time to increase the gas tax?
Is now the right time to hike the tolls?
Is now really the time to add tolls to Interstates 78 and 80?
Shouldn’t we be focusing on reducing the size and cost of government?
And given that, may we ask:
Why hasn’t the state tried to collect the $1.2 billion – yes, we said billion – it is owed in uncollected motor vehicle surcharges? Recouping that money alone would pay for a lot of bridge and road repairs.
Why hasn’t the state tried to recoup the millions it is owed in questionable Medicaid payments?
How can employees double their salary in overtime without anyone taking notice?
Why hasn’t the Corzine administration enacted a spending and hiring freeze to reduce the pressure on the upcoming budget?
Why has the Corzine administration proposed a bill – to be effective as of July 1 – that would require audits of agencies and programs that receive a majority of state funding, and then would mandate that any documented waste would be deducted from future aid payments?
Where are the committee hearings on pension reforms to be enacted by July 1, so that the savings can be incorporated into this year’s budget?
Is anyone watching the store?
"The reality is that New Jersey right now is incapable of managing its finances," said Assemblyman Joe Malone, R-Burlington.
One of the business leaders said that it was the uncertainty about New Jersey’s finances that made the state an unattractive place to do business.
Taxpayers would argue that it also makes it a difficult place to live.
Do we need to remind Trenton that businesses are taxpayers too?
It’s not just New Jersey’s government that has encountered a reversal of fortune. New Jersey’s taxpayers have too. And they are looking for a champion.
Doesn’t anybody in Trenton want to be a hero to the taxpayers? Where are the lawmakers who are demanding accountability from government?
If Trenton began to put as much energy into cutting waste, and recouping wasted tax dollars, as it does in looking for new ways to wring money from the taxpayer, businesses would take notice. So would New Jersey’s taxpayers.
We’re not asking for much from our leaders, but New Jerseyans have a right to demand this: Before you ask us for one more dime, make sure that you have wrung every penny, nickel and dime out of the money you already get from us. Don’t just shake your head at waste, do something about it. Get the money back.
You would if it was coming out of your own pocket. Why is it any less valuable when it comes out of all of our pockets?
Read More | Daily Muse |
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Guest Column: WHY COMMEND INCLAN?
May 5, 2008
By MICHAEL M. SHAPIRO
During the recent trial of David Delle Donna, the Mayor of Guttenberg, New Jersey, one of Governor Corzine’s deputy chiefs of staff, Javier Inclan, testified that he passed envelopes from a bar owner to the Mayor, which he believed to be filled with illegal cash campaign contributions. The Mayor and his wife were convicted on extortion and tax-related charges after being charged with accepting $40,000 worth of illegal gifts from that bar owner. Is Mr. Inclan being charged, fired, or demoted in some manner? No. Instead, the Governor publicly commended him and a day later, Mr. Inclan resigned, with his pension and benefits fully intact. (To read more about Michael Shapiro's take on the case of Javier Inclan, read his guest column here.)
Read More | Guest Column |
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Daily Muse: PET CAUSES
May 2, 2008
Our governor is a man who is committed to his causes.
He gave Democrats some $652,000 last year –nearly $563,000 to state Democrats and $89,000 to Democratic congressional candidates. In 2006, Corzine gave $869,000 to Democrats and party organizations. Since entering politics in 2000, he has donated more than $8 million to state and federal candidates.
He is a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton. (Except when he’s describing the scenarios by which he thinks she should drop out of the race.)
He gave $500,000 to Save Our State NJ, which is his public relations front group that was created to help him sell his 800 percent toll hike plan.
He sent $200,000 to a group that was promoting last year’s ill-fated bond issue to borrow $450 million to hire staff and fund research at the five stem cell research centers the governor hopes to build around the state.
All of these were done with his own money, which is fine. He can spend his money however he wishes, on whatever causes he wishes.
What’s not so fine is when state money somehow winds up funding his pet causes.
So there Corzine was Thursday, hailing the decision by StemCyte Inc., a California-based stem cell research firm to open a New Jersey office with five people, which they say may someday grow to 12 employees.
To help spur this job growth, the governor touted the fact that this firm would receive some $589,000 in state grants, through the Business Employment Incentive Program, which basically is a program that rewards companies that create jobs.
In other words, we’ll be paying this company about $80,000 a person every time they hire one of the seven new employees.
Probably a good chunk of the salaries the company will be paying these folks.
“It does seem questionable to be writing checks to companies that are going to hire 12 people when you're cutting higher education and can't pay for transportation," said Jon Shure, president of New Jersey Policy Perspective.
Seriously.
Listen, this company may be a great investment. But when the state is struggling to find money to keep parks open, and is cutting homestead rebates, that $589,000 sure seems like an awful lot of money to be sending to one firm that is creating just 7 new jobs.
Especially when the state has lost about 10,000 jobs so far this year.
But we have another question.
We all know that our governor can be a bit, well, shall we say tone-deaf politically about causes and people he believes in. (Read Javier Inclan and 800 percent toll hikes.) That if he says something is on the up and up, then he thinks no one should doubt otherwise. That he doesn’t see conflicts of interest involving himself, because, in his mind, he apparently thinks he has no conflicts.
So, is it too cynical to ask whether the governor’s enthusiasm for stem cell research was one of the deciding factors in giving this company a grant?
Voters resoundingly rejected the stem cell research bond issue. From all accounts, the governor was severely disappointed in the defeat. And, apparently, in this case, he's counting on the fact that he doesn’t think “No” really means “No.”
"I intend to revisit this issue,” Corzine said at Thursday’s press conference.
"We haven't crossed that bridge yet. It is in an overall context that we have to look at where we are with regard to revenue growth and the comfort with which we can address additional debt. I don't think that's going to be so long."
Hello? Did we read that right? Here he is, trying to soak us all for an 800 percent toll hike over 14 years because he said our debt is strangling us. And yet, he can’t wait to go out and bond for another $450 million for stem cell research? “…We have to look at where we are with regard to revenue growth and the comfort with which we can address additional debt. I don’t think that’s going to be so long.” He doesn’t think that will be that long? But aren’t we supposedly more than $30 billion in debt? And isn’t the only debt reduction plan out there his 800 percent toll hike plan, which is supposed to be politically dead? Which leads us to ask this question: Was he trying to soak us for the 800 percent toll hike to pay off the debt, just so he could go out and borrow more money for his pet causes? Like stem cell research? And while we’re on this subject, did you know that New Jersey lawmakers and Corzine approved $270 million to build five stem cell research facilities in the state – money that they were somehow able to borrow without voter permission. Corzine told the Associated Press that he's still made no decision on how that money would be spent. Think about that. Voters reject spending money to hire staff and fund research at stem cell research labs. Instead of just refunding the money he had to build the labs after that vote, he kept it around. He’s still trying to decide what to do with that money. Here’s a thought: Why not just give the money back and reduce our debt by $270 million? Or how about this: Isn’t Trenton talking about raising tolls 50 percent, or putting new tolls on Interstates 78 and 80, or possibly hiking the gas tax? Why not use that $270 million for those “desperately needed” road and bridge repairs that Trenton says it can’t pay for unless it comes back to the taxpayer for more. It couldn’t be that the governor wants to keep that money around so he can build his five stem cell research labs, could it? The bottom line is this: The governor can donate to all the pet causes he wants to. But he can’t hold our tax dollars hostage to his pet causes. He can’t plan on getting taxpayers to fork over $270 million in new tolls or gas taxes to pay for road repair, when he has $270 million that he could use. He can’t tell us that we have to pay Trenton more, when he’s keeping $270 million to the side. And if for some reason he can’t use the money for anything else, then he should give the money back, and reduce our debt – and the interest we are paying on the debt. This is just one more reason why Trenton cannot be trusted with our money. Because once they get it, they think of it as their money. And they think they should be able to spend it on their pet causes – never realizing, it seems, that the only pet cause they should be worrying about is how to reduce the tax burden on the people of New Jersey.
Read More | Daily Muse |
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Guest Column: ENOUGH ALREADY, RAY!
May 2, 2008
By JONNY B. GOODE
Message to Senator Ray Lesniak: Stop the nonsense.
Stop trying to tie the Legislature to the Turnpike and Parkway expansion plans. No Legislator has ever voted for a toll increase in his or her life. Nor should they. If the Turnpike needs to be expanded from exits 8A to 6, then let them borrow the money, raise the tolls and pay back the bonds with the toll increase. If the Parkway needs to widen from exit 80 to exit 30, then let them borrow the money, raise the tolls and pay back the bonds with the toll increase. Stop putting the Legislature on the hook for toll increases. They have a tough enough job dealing with the sales tax increase, the millionaire’s income tax increase, the corporate tax increase disguised as tax reform, the cigarette tax increase, the casino tax increase and who knows how many other fees and charges they raised. They don’t need another headache. (To read what else Jonny B. Goode has to say to Sen. Lesniak, read his guest column here.)
Read More | Guest Column |
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Quote of the Day
"I've done business in New Jersey all my life, and we'll see what happens. But it doesn't seem to be a friendly climate," said Donald Trump, about the possibility of bidding on another Meadowlands project. (5/09/08)
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Hot Off The Press!
THE FIRST OF MANY? Rep. Donald Payne has become the first of New Jersey's superdelegates to switch to Barack Obama after the North Carolina and Indiana primaries. "After careful consideration, I have reached the conclusion that Barack Obama can best bring about the change that our country so desperately wants and needs," Payne told the Star-Ledger. With Payne's switch Obama has the backing of five of New Jersey's 20 superdelegates, Clinton has 11, three are uncommitted and at least one Clinton backer is wavering. Meanwhile, Gov. Corzine, one of Clinton's earliest backers, is sticking with her, although he concedes she has a "steep hill" to climb. "She's going to have to have an exceptional run in the remaining primaries, and particularly with the popular vote," Corzine said. (5/9/08) AND THE WINNER IS: The competition was heated, but these mayors proved they not only can take the heat, they can excel in the kitchen. The winners of New Jersey’s third “Mayors Healthy Cook-Off” in Woodbridge. So here are New Jersey's top chefs: “Best Presentation” – Mayor Sal Bonaccorso, Clark Township (Sal’s Summertime Salad); “Healthiest” - Mayor Joanne Cocchiola, Nutley (Chick Pea Salad with Poached Tuna); “Best Tasting” - Mayor Tony Persichilli, Pennington (Whole Wheat Pasta with Turkey Sausage and Broccoli Rabe); and “Best Overall” - former Mayor Mike Koestler, Harrison Township (Chicken Piccata) The event was co-sponsored by the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, Aetna and Wegmans. (5/09/08) SO NICE THEY'LL DO IT TWICE -- BUT ONLY TWICE: Sen. Frank Lautenberg has agreed to a second debate with his opponents, Rep. Rob Andrews and Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello on radio station New Jersey 101.5 FM from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on May 29. This is on a Thusday, the day before their televised debate. Eric Scott, the station's news director, told the Star Ledger the debate will feature questions from listeners, and candidates will be able "to question one another." Now that has potential. (5/8/08) SPLIT DECISION: With Hillary Clinton barely winning Indiana Tuesday night -- and Barack Obama scoring an impressive victory in North Carolina -- the drumbeats have begun urging Clinton to leave the race. With Clinton's chances at victory now even more daunting, will New Jersey's Democratic leaders stay tied to Clinton, or will some superdelegates begin the move to Obama? Will Corzine remain loyal through the last June primary? The primary map gets a lot more favorable for Clinton -- the next primary is in West Virginia, where polls have Clinton up by more than 20 points. And here's an irony: if New Jersey had never changed its primary date, and remained the first Tuesday in June, we might have been more important than ever. Wonder if Clinton supporters are regretting that move today. (5/7/08) FRANK AND ROB'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE: Just a day after Sen. Frank Lautenberg said he wouldn't enjoy a televised debate "because I think his behavior has been contemptuous," the two have agreed to a debate -- but it's hadly during prime time. The one-hour debate, co-sponsored by Gannett New Jersey newspapers, will air live on NJN at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 30, and will include Lautenberg, Andrews and Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello. Is it a coincidence that Lautenberg's campaign picked one of the first summer Fridays for a debate? (5/7/08) LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE: It looks less and less likely that Sen. Frank Lautenberg and Rep. Rob Andrews will be debating any time soon. During an editorial board meeting with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Lautenberg repeatedly blasted Andrews, saying this about the possibility of a televised debate: "I wouldn't enjoy it because I think his behavior has been contemptuous." Asked what he thought about Andrews' decision to enter the race, after initially pledging that he wouldn't do so, Lautenberg said: "I think it stinks. It's outrageous." He also made it clear that he took offense at "insinuating stuff about confused and age and all that." In response, Andrews camp repeated their call for a debate. "To suggest that (Andrews) doesn't deserve a forum to debate issues is frankly offensive," said Michael Murphy, Andrews' campaign chairman. (5/06/08)
MCCAIN TO STUMP IN JERSEY: GOP presumptive presidential nominee John McCain will be in New Jersey Friday, at an event with former Gov. Thomas H. Kean at Gateway National Recreational Area. Recent polls show either Democrat would beat McCain in New Jersey, but the Republican has pledged to contest in all 50 states. (5/06/08) Get ready New Jersey -- we all might need a collective shower as of Tuesday, when New Jersey's version of the War of the Roses will officially begin in Judge Karen Cassidy's courtroom. Legal experts tell the Star Ledger that McGreevey v. McGreevey could be one of the top 10 worst divorce cases in New Jersey history. (5/05/08) DOCTOR WHO? Sounds like somebody didn't vet something somewhere. Page Six in the New York Post reports that Gov. Corzine's girlfriend, Sharon Elghanayan, was listed as "Dr. Sharon Elghanayan" at the State Dinner for the Nation's Governors in both 2006 and 2008. (She was correctly listed as Ms. Elghanayan in 2007.) While she is a psychotherapist, she reportedly has neither a medical degree nor a Ph.D. Both Elghanayan and the National Governors Association denied responsibility, the Post reports.(5/02/08)
THIRD DISTRICT ON AIR: One of the more interesting primary contests statewide has been the 3rd District contest between Republicans Jack Kelly of Ocean County and Chris Myers of Burlington. Aside from the fact that this race is also a contest to see whether the Ocean or Burlington County GOP organization is the strongest, the two men are each arguing that they are the true conservative in the race. Both have new cable television ads up. You can see Kelly's ad here; Myers' commercial can be seen here.(5/1/08) TOP CHEF, JERSEY STYLE: Mayors from across Central Jersey will be competing in New Jersey’s third “Mayors Healthy Cook-Off” beginning at 6:00 p.m. May 7 at Wegmans, 1500 Woodbridge Drive in Woodbridge. The event is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, Aetna and Wegmans. The following Central Jersey mayors have already agreed to participate: Carteret Mayor Dan Reiman, Pennington Mayor Anthony Persichilli, North Brunswick Mayor Francis Womack, South Amboy Mayor John O’Leary, Clark Township Mayor Salvatore Bonaccorso (preparing “Sal’s Summertime Salad”), Franklin Township Mayor Brian Levine and Nutley Mayor Joanne Cocchiola. In addition, Wharton (Morris County) Mayor Bill Chegwidden and Harrison Township (Gloucester County) Mayor Mike Koestler (who will prepare chicken piccata) will also attend. State Sen. Joe Vitale, D-Middlesex, and former Giant Stephen Baker "The Touchdown Maker" will be on hand as celebrity judges. (4/29/08)
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