April 30, 2008

CORZINE SEEKING TO TAKE HAMBURGER CASH FROM FAST FOOD PATRONS, ROBBLE, ROBBLE,
MERKT ASKS, IS THERE ANYTHING THIS GOVERNOR WON’T TAX?

Responding to news that Governor Jon Corzine is open to imposing a new fast food tax on New Jersey, Assemblyman Richard Merkt today said there has apparently never been a tax Corzine didn’t like and urged the Governor to return to looking for spending cuts rather than new revenue sources.

“The governor should put more effort into figuring out how to cut wasteful state spending and less into concocting new ways to pry even more tax dollars out of long-suffering New Jersey families,” said Merkt, R-Morris. “New Jersey families are looking for commonsense solutions to help make our state more affordable, and taxing their cheeseburgers isn’t going to help.”

According to the Associated Press, New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine said Tuesday he’s open to using a “sin tax” to help provide funding for struggling hospitals. His comments came after opponents of budget cuts to hospital aid suggested a fast food tax during a meeting with Corzine. Corzine called the fast food tax, “a constructive suggestion.”

Merkt said that after the recent medevac helicopter-funding tax, which promptly got diverted to other spending, the public might just be a little skeptical of the Governor’s latest proposal for another new “dedicated” tax.

“Just like so many other ‘dedicated’ taxes, it is not hard to imagine this money getting diverted away from health care to other spending projects in the budget,” Merkt said. “Governor Corzine appears to be entering into competition with the ‘Hamburglar.’ One wants to steal your hamburgers, the other wants to take your money so you can’t afford them.”

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April 29, 2008

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Graft can hide in any size town
Editorial, Gloucester County Times, April 29,2008

Reformers say one reason New Jersey stands out in the world of political corruption is that it has so many governmental units.

While the reformers might have a point, it wouldn't be the best of reasons for mergers of too-numerous school districts and municipalities.

"There's an inordinate number of boards, commissions and regulatory authorities," said Peter Wooley, a Farleigh Dickinson political scientist, one of several experts quoted in a weekend Associated Press story that expanded on this theory about our state's culture of graft.

"More pockets in which to hide," was the way the AP put a possible reason why New Jersey leads the corruption case parade in comparison with neighboring states. In our state, 44 officials were arrested last year, compared with 23 in Pennsylvania and 36 in New York, both of which have larger populations.

Frankly, that's probably not statistically significant, given the aggressiveness of the U.S attorney for New Jersey, Christopher Christie. He's also a possible 2009 gubernatorial candidate.

There are also some counterpoints to a fewer-is-cleaner theory. Former Newark Mayor Sharpe James is the latest top public official to be convicted. No one would say Newark, our most populous city (277,911), is too small for corruption to be visible. In fact, James used a compliant city council for shady, bargain-priced land sales to benefit a girlfriend.

And, consider what happened just a day before James was convicted: John Lake, the former mayor of Carneys Point Township (population 7,608) in Salem County was sentenced to three years in jail for trying to bribe a political foe to leave a 2006 council race, by offering the opponent public jobs.

Small town, big town. What's more important to change in New Jersey is the degree to which supposedly honest political cohorts accept or ignore corrupt behavior by their peers.

Perhaps it's tougher to get a handle on bad deeds when there are so many little feifdoms to investigate, so many boards and authorities with the independent ability to spend money. But it also can be argued that larger divisions of government are one-stop shopping for bribers. They just hand out larger wads of cash to fewer dishonest officials and get bigger no-bid contracts in return.

Does that mean that New Jerseyans should be OK with 566 municipalities and 616 school districts? No. However, the potential to catch a few more bad guys is not the best reason for winnowing down the numbers. Saving money on legal, "honest," duplicated expenses for salaries, equipment and buildings offers a far more compelling rationale for mergers.

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April 29, 2008

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

NJN rightly considers breaking from state
Editorial, The Daily Record, April 29,2008

New Jersey began its public television system, New Jersey Network, in 1969, when cable television did not exist. Over the years, NJN has had to fend off critics who asked: "How can a television network independently cover state government when it depends on that same government for financial support?" It's a pretty good question.

Whenever state support for NJN dipped, network officials at times became quasi-lobbyists for their cause. That is, they lobbied the same politicians they were supposed to be covering aggressively.

Now with state support for NJN continuing to drop -- the governor has proposed cutting spending by 27 percent in the fiscal year that begins July 1 -- the network has come up with a good idea. Tell the state to take a hike and operate on its own with private fundraising through the NJN foundation. The NJN foundation is filled with many prominent New Jersey residents, including former governors Thomas H. Kean and Brendan Byrne. Breaking away from state control could increase fundraising by establishing NJN as more of an independent network.

It may also be the end of NJN. Things have changed a lot since 1969. Today's residents have access to dozens of television channels or more, and to the Internet. It's possible NJN would no longer be viable without state support. Network officials seem willing to take that chance, and we support them in doing so.

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April 29, 2008

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Put contract out to bid
Editorial, Asbury Park Press, April 29,2008

The Corzine administration is moving ahead with plans to award a no-bid contract to the problem-plagued University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey to provide medical care for New Jersey's prison inmates — work handled by a private company in previous years.

The administration says handing over the work providing health care for about 41,600 state and county inmates to UMDNJ would be a money-saver. There is every reason to be skeptical. And there is no way of knowing whether another company could provide greater savings without putting the contract up for competitive bidding — something lawmakers should press Gov. Corzine to do.

Apart from the idea that the state chose not to seek competitive bids — and that the no-bid contract will go to an entity that has been a longtime patronage pit for the politically connected — there are legitimate questions about UMDNJ's ability to handle the job. A spokesman for Correctional Medical Services of St. Louis, which has the current $85 million contract, pointed out that UMDNJ would likely hire a large number of the 850 employees and private contractors now doing the work, adding hundreds of them to the state rolls. Didn't Corzine pledge to downsize? According to CMS, UMDNJ is asking contractors for competitive bids to help it take on the job of caring for prisoners. It sounds like UMDNJ is essentially setting itself up as a middle man, doing what the state should have done in the first place — ask for bids.

Last year, the state's inspector general criticized CMS, saying it overcharged and had been out of compliance with its New Jersey contract. That may be. But there are other health care provider options out there besides UMDNJ, which blew through more than $400 million in fraudulent and wasteful spending in recent years, according to federal investigators. After UMDNJ was approved to provide inmates with mental-health services in 2005, costs shot up about 50 percent. And who can forget former state Sen. Wayne Bryant, D-Camden, who had a $35,000-a-year job with UMDNJ that amounted to little more than reading newspapers in his office a few hours a week.

Even with new reforms meant to rein in the deep-rooted waste and ethical lapses unearthed over the last few years, UMDNJ's tarnished reputation needs much more polishing before taxpayers should be asked to put any faith in it, especially with a no-bid contract.

Bottom line: This plan offers no guarantee of savings for taxpayers, and UMDNJ's track record shouldn't be dismissed with a promise that it's "changed." The contract should be put out for competitive bidding.

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April 29, 2008

DOHERTY: THE TIME IS NOW TO SELL NJN
SAYS STATION’S SUGGESTION TO SEVER TIES WITH STATE A POSITIVE STEP, BUT NOT ENOUGH

In response to reports that New Jersey Network (NJN) is suggesting severing its ties with state government, Assemblyman Michael Doherty said today he supports the move, but would like to see the state take it even further by selling the public television system in an effort to save taxpayer money.

“NJN’s desire to cut its ties to the state is a step in the right direction,” said Doherty, R-Warren and Hunterdon. “Let’s face it, this government needs to make real and significant budget cuts and with state support for the station on a continual decline, it just makes sense to sell NJN’s assets and licenses.”

According to a recent report in The Star Ledger, NJN executives are suggesting cutting ties with the state saying continued cuts to its budget is hurting its operations. The state currently pays out millions for salaries and benefits for the station’s 150 state employees in addition to maintenance costs for its three studios.

NJN officials are proposing transferring the station’s license to a non-profit foundation established in 1990 to raise money to support the network. The breakaway would improve NJN’s ability to raise private funds and become more independent.

Doherty, a long-time advocate of selling the station, said profits from the sale of the station’s broadcasting licenses and its assets to a non-profit entity or another public broadcasting station is money the state certainly can use.

“The bottom line is we need to make this state more affordable for our hardworking citizens,” he said. “What we need are common sense solutions and this certainly falls into that category. The sale of the station is a golden opportunity this state cannot afford to miss. It certainly is much more practical and feasible than selling our state transportation assets as Governor Corzine had proposed.”

Doherty also noted the irony of a TV station reporting on state government when that same government is its source of funding.

“Media coverage is supposed to be objective. How then do you bite the hand that feeds you?” questioned Doherty. “With ever decreasing viewership, the availability of hundreds of other TV stations and the internet, and the opportunity for this state to actually turn a profit, this is a no-brainer as far as I am concerned.”

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April 29, 2008

CASAGRANDE AND O’SCANLON: WHAT ARE THE DETAILS OF CORZINE’S NEW TOLL PLAN?
RUSHING PLAN THROUGH DURING THE LAST TWO WEEKS OF JUNE IS NOT A GOOD WAY TO MAKE PUBLIC POLICY

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande and Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon today said that they are awaiting details of Governor Corzine’s new “targeted” toll hike plan, and warned that any plan the Governor seeks to rush through the Legislature in just two weeks should be greeted with skepticism.

“Governor Corzine didn’t get the message that New Jersey motorists do not want to pay more tolls at a time when gas prices and property taxes have made this state unaffordable for many families,” said Casagrande, R-Monmouth and Mercer. “If the Governor is planning a scaled back toll hike, he needs to explain right now where those toll hikes will take place and by how much he proposes to increase those tolls.”

Governor Corzine’s original toll plan, unveiled in January, called for borrowing $40 billion and increasing tolls by as much as 800 percent on the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike and Atlantic City Expressway. The plan met with staunch public opposition and Corzine eventually had to concede that the plan could not pass as originally structured.

On Monday, Corzine officials leaked word that the Governor is considering a scaled-back toll hike plan to meet state transportation needs. The plan would likely include smaller toll hikes than his original plan, but no details were made available as to the actual amount of the increase – or which roads would be affected.

“Proposing to deal with this issue between the budget vote in mid-June and July 1st smells like an effort to sneak a bill through the Legislature without adequate review,” said O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth and Mercer. “This is far too important an issue, with far too great an impact on New Jersey residents, to rush through legislation that hasn’t been fully vetted. Any talk of a toll increase is premature when the administration has failed to prove to the public that the money we are currently spending is being spent wisely.”

O’Scanlon and Casagrande noted that the public should be skeptical that these toll hikes would actually pay for transportation projects since the state has a history of raiding such funds for other “needs.”

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April 29, 2008

MALONE: HAS ANYONE EVER BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION MESS, OR DO WE JUST GIVE THEM NEW CONTRACTS?
RUTGERS STADIUM TO BE BUILT BY CONTRACTOR FIRED FROM STATE SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECTS

Assemblyman Joseph Malone today said it is stunning that Rutgers University would turn to a contractor who has been fired by the state from almost two dozen school construction projects and questioned whether the state ever plans on holding people accountable for the mess that became of the school construction program.

“How a state funded university can justify hiring a contractor that was fired, by the state, from school construction projects for faulty work is baffling,” said Malone, R-Burlington, Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer. “This once again raises the question I have been asking since the school construction scandal broke in 2005: Will anyone actually be held accountable for this debacle?”

According to news reports, just weeks after being chosen by Rutgers University to oversee a $102 million expansion of the Rutgers football stadium, a Rhode Island-based contractor, Gilbane Building Company, was fired by state officials from 23 school construction projects.

The decision to fire Gilbane came after a year-long delay at a Neptune elementary school, when the school’s brick facade had to be torn down and rebuilt after mold was found in exterior walls. The state is suing Gilbane for the estimated $13 million it cost to remove the mold.

The state’s school construction program has been plagued by problems almost since its inception. In a 15-page report issued in April 2005 by Inspector General Mary Jane Cooper, the program was said to be “vulnerable to mismanagement, fiscal malfeasance, conflicts of interest and waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars.”

Several efforts have been made to reform the program since that report, but problems persist.

“We have no idea exactly how much money has been wasted because of the abuse and mismanagement within this school construction program, but it is likely a staggering total,” Malone said. “Yet instead of holding people accountable, it seems like we are rewarding them with new contracts for state subsidized projects. Taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet have every right to be outraged by these decisions.”

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April 28, 2008

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Trenton quagmire
Editorial, The Trentonian, April 28, 2008

Gov. Jon Corzine is having a tough time selling his idea of taking out a massive debt-consolidation loan to pay down the state’s mountain of arrears. The loan would be secured by steep hikes in Turnpike, Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway tolls.

Even legislative Democrats, who over the years have proved themselves credulous enough to go along with just about any cockamamie fiscal scheme, are balking at this one.

Corzine has a fancy name for his scheme — “assets monetization.”

It involves setting up a new “public benefits corporation” to take over the toll roads and wring all the revenues out of them it can.

The tempting part of the scheme is that out-of-state suckers would help pay off a big chunk of the debt-consolidation loan. Many of the vehicles on New Jersey’s toll roads at any given moment are from other states.

Some of the borrowed money would be used for transportation projects. That part is familiar enough to the legislators for them to readily give their consenting nod. You spend X amount on construction projects, and when you do so the investment results in a return of X amount in campaign donations from construction companies and construction unions. Meanwhile, you can put up those signs that proclaim: “Your tax dollars at work!”

But paying down debt, well ... where’s the political return in that?

Taxpayers have their own reason for being skeptical of Corzine’s scheme. Again, that reason is Corzine himself. The multi-millionaire Corzine is a big spender of his own money and a colossal spender of the public’s.

He all but confessed this last year while addressing the legislature when he blurted out that he didn’t run for governor so that he could come to Trenton and “play Scrooge.”

And indeed he hasn’t done so. Even his fellow liberals marvel at his readiness to deplete the public treasury for this cause or that. Come up with a noble-sounding suggestion, Corzine’s prepared to fund it.

Possibly, the guv is a spendaholic and can’t help himself. (If only there were a program for this affliction. Say, we’ll bet Corzine would be willing to fund one!)

For example, at the very moment when he was pondering the state’s mountain — make that mountain range — of debt, he decided the state ought to borrow another $450 million for a stem-cell research initiative. (The voters, playing bartender to Corzine’s sot, cut the guv off in a referendum.)

Given Corzine’s weakness for spending, the suspicion is overpowering that his debt-consolidation loan scheme would prop up outlays more than pay down debt.

Further fortifying this suspicion is Corzine’s continuing refusal to address the single biggest source of the state’s mounting fiscal difficulties — an unsustainable gravy-train pension plan for politicians and public employees.

The deal he signed with state employee unions made only niggling alterations in the extravagant status quo.

Meanwhile, Corzine has abrogated his fiscal responsibilities in favor of playing the usual transparent political games — threatening, for example, to close state parks in a phony economizing gesture. He has left the serious work to others, namely, Sen. Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, who has taken on the thankless challenge of reining in public pension costs.

Corzine can’t be bothered with mundane solutions. He’s too buy promoting grandiose schemes.

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April 28, 2008

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Foul odor at DEP
Editorial, Asbury Park Press, April 26, 2008

When Gov. Corzine said he planned to trim the state work force, it apparently didn't apply to people in his inner circle in need of a six-figure job and taxpayer-funded benefits.

Jennifer Godoski, 30, left a $120,000-a-year job as chief of staff to Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri in January to run the public relations group formed to shill Gov. Corzine's toll-hike plan. She returned to government work last week as a $125,000-a-year deputy commissioner in the Department of Environmental Protection.

What do transportation and environmental protection work have in common? Not much, except they both offer lucrative patronage jobs for well-connected bureaucrats.

With Corzine's unpopular toll-hike plan in neutral and the Save Our State group's future tenuous, Godoski apparently was running out of things to do. Now, she will be taking over a position left open when another deputy commissioner left. In the midst of an economic crisis, why wasn't the job left unfilled? And how does someone with a transportation background suddenly develop enough expertise in the environment to merit a deputy commissioner post?

Godoski helped found Save Our State, which was seeded with a half-million-dollar donation from Corzine. Its aim was to promote the governor's toll-hike proposal to generate billions of dollars Corzine said would be used to pay down debt and fund transportation needs. Fierce opposition from the public and lawmakers resulted in Corzine backing off on the idea — at least until after the state budget has been approved.

Hiring Godoski for a job for which she is unqualified at a time Corzine is slashing payroll and programs is further proof he thinks the cost-cutting measures he says are necessary for the state don't apply to him. Godoski's job with the DEP shows just how polluted state government really is.

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April 28, 2008

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

The heedless governor
Editorial, The Star-Ledger, April 28, 2008

A governor who is worth hundreds of millions and, by all accounts, is an honest, upstanding fellow eases concerns that he might use his office to profit personally. And from what he's done so far, there's no reason to question Gov. Jon Corzine's personal ethics.

But every now and then, he shows he is tone deaf politically, apparently unable to understand how the public perceives politicians.

The latest evidence of this is embodied in the decision by the Department of Children and Families to award a $2 million contract to a New York University program that is run by Corzine's close friends and which he helped establish. The governor even sits on the board of the NYU Child Study Center.

None of this is to meant to question the center's qualifications or to challenge the finding that the NYU proposal was better than the 17 others submitted by New Jersey institutions.

Still, can't anyone in the Corzine administration realize what a boneheaded decision it was to give NYU the contract? Did anyone think that perhaps -- just perhaps -- a program with such close ties to the governor shouldn't be bidding on a state contract?

Corzine says he had no involvement in the process and didn't know about the contract. There's no reason not to believe him.

He notes he has always been upfront about his ties to the NYU center, which will develop strategies for keeping New Jersey youths out of gangs, and argues that an agency with a history of doing good work shouldn't be disqualified simply because of connections to him. Really?

Only now, after details of the cozy connections were disclosed, has Corzine asked lawyers to review the process to ensure that everything was done properly. But that's part of the problem. This is one case in which what the lawyers say won't carry much weight.

It doesn't take a lawyer to know that a state contract shouldn't be going to an organization whose board of trustees includes the governor.

Public officials are well aware that they must avoid not only any possible conflicts of interest but also anything that could be construed as a conflict by the public. This is one of them.

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April 28, 2008

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Is state in danger of getting stuck with stadium bill?
Editorial, Courier-News, April 27,2008

Saying anything critical about the Rutgers football program has become heresy in New
Jersey.

It’s akin to saying you don’t like the Shore or can’t stomach sausage sandwiches.

Yet state Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R-Morris) found the courage last week to incur the wrath of all those who bleed scarlet every time Rutgers loses a game.

“At a time when New Jersey is so strapped for cash that Gov. Corzine wants to close nine state parks to save $4 million, an expanded football stadium is a luxury the state clearly cannot afford,” he said.

Merkt’s remarks were prompted by reports that construction has begun on the stadium project in Piscataway, though Rutgers lacks $30 million to complete the job.

Gov. Jon Corzine says state money will not be needed to finance the project and that he’s confident private funds will be raised to cover the cost. He has already given $250,000 to the project and has pledged to give a total of $1 million.

Corzine has assured New Jersey residents, who have to drive on potholed roads and rickety bridges while paying some of the highest property taxes in the nation, that they won’t be stuck with the bill for the stadium expansion. And though construction has already begun, Corzine and State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, D-Union, haven’t begun raising the $30 million for the project that they said they would raise.

But Corzine says not to worry, because the project is proceeding in stages. “I don't think that’s a big problem,” Corzine told the Associated Press.

Merkt, however, is worried. “This project raises the specter that New Jersey taxpayers will be called upon to pay for the expansion, if private donations do not materialize,” he said.

Merkt has good reason to worry. Imposing fiscal discipline in New Jersey is about as easy as driving blindfolded around the Somerville Circle at rush hour. That’s why State Sen. Leonard Lance, R-Hunterdon, said he has “nightmares” about what might happen if the private funds are not raised.

In all likelihood, the private funding will materialize for the project. The resurgence of the Rutgers football program has been a godsend for New Jersey residents desperate to find a source of pride in their home state. Rutgers alumni and corporations are sure to support the project by opening their checkbooks.

But starting construction before all the money arrives has that familiar aura of risky business practices that have traditionally held together New Jersey finances with chewing gum gimmicks. It’s just another reason why New Jersey residents are justified in being cynical about the way their state is run.

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April 25, 2008

BRAMNICK AND RIBLE QUESTION DECISION TO TURN OVER PRISON HEALTH CARE CONTRACT TO UMDNJ
SOME HAVE SUGGESTED SWITCH BEING MADE WITHOUT BIDDING MAY END UP COSTING THE STATE MORE MONEY

Assemblyman David Rible and Assembly Republican Whip Jon Bramnick today expressed their concerns about the state’s decision to switch the contract for providing health care services in state prisons from Correctional Medical Services (CMS) to the University of Medicine an Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) with no competitive bidding process.

“At a time when our budget is near its breaking point there is no excuse for the state to make a decision that could add millions of dollars in costs to the state budget,” Rible, R-Monmouth, said. “This contract should have been put out for competitive bidding so that we could accurately determine what a fair price would be for these services.”

The state currently has an $85 million contract with CMS to provide medical, dental and pharmaceutical services to state prisoners. The Corzine administration is looking to cancel that contract and put UMDNJ in charge of providing those services with the hopes that the cap on the school’s cost of purchasing pharmaceuticals will lower the state’s expense.

The administration did not competitively bid the contract and CMS has suggested that using UMDNJ may actually end up costing the state an extra $50 million per year. CMS officials have pointed to New Jersey’s decision to switch mental health services from CMS to UMDNJ in 2005, which they claim resulted in a 50 percent cost increase to the state.

“It seems clear that nobody is sure exactly how much this switch will either cost the state or save the state,” said Bramnick, R-Union, Morris, Somerset and Essex. “With our budget in crisis, now is not the time to be gambling on a proposal that could result in significant additional costs to our taxpayers. A competitive bidding process would have provided more cost certainty in making this decision.”

Rible and Bramnick are members of the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.

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April 25, 2008

BIONDI AND COYLE BRING TASK FORCE ON FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY TO SOMERSET COUNTY
COMMITTEE WILL HOLD PUBLIC MEETING ON CORZINE TOLL HIKES IN SOMERVILLE ON APRIL 28

Assembly Republican Conference Leader Peter Biondi and Assemblywoman Denise Coyle today announced that the Republican task force seeking public input on Governor Jon Corzine’s massive toll hike and borrowing proposal will come to Somerset County on Monday, April 28, 2008.

The Assembly Republican Task Force on Fiscal Responsibility will meet in Somerset County on Monday, April 28 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the County Administration Building, Freeholder’s Meeting Room, 2nd floor. The Administration Building is located at 20 Grove Street, Somerville, NJ 08876.

These meetings will take place in several locations around the state and will be open to all members of the public. No advance registration will be required and the goal will be to gauge public sentiment on the Corzine proposal and gather ideas for better ways to address the state’s poor fiscal condition.

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April 25, 2008

CASAGRANDE: LET’S GET SERIOUS ABOUT REFORMING THE STATE’S PENSION SYSTEM
ENCOURAGES SUPPORT OF HER PENSION LEGISLATION

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande today said she is encouraged that the Corzine Administration and the head of the Senate Budget Committee are open to revisiting the criteria for eligibility into the state’s pension system, but cautioned that any changes must be stringent enough to result in significant savings.

“Adopting tough eligibility criteria for entrance into the state pension system is a concept long overdue,” said Casagrande, R-Monmouth and Mercer. “Such measures are absolutely essential to reigning in the high cost of government on all levels.”

Casagrande has introduced legislation, A-2575, that would set a minimum $18,000 annual salary or 30 hour work week minimum for eligibility into the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF). Currently, persons with an annual salary of $1,500 or more are eligible for membership and service credit in PERS while the compensation threshold for TPAF is $500.

Last week, state Senator Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, head of the Senate Budget Committee, said she will be drafting legislation that would bar part-time government workers from the state's pension system. State Treasurer David Rousseau said the Administration agrees. Casagrande, however, said any changes to eligibility requirements must be “real” and free of loopholes.

“Watered-down and half-measures are not acceptable, neither are short-term schemes and one-time gimmicks,” stated Casagrande. “We’ve been down that road too many times before and it’s brought us to the brink of bankruptcy. Let’s face it, the state’s pension system has been abused for far too long. There have been far too many fingers in the cookie jar. It’s absurd that someone making $500 or even $1,500 is entitled to a state pension. It’s time to end this gravy train and get serious about reforming the cost of government.”

As such, Casagrande said she is encouraging legislators on both sides of the aisle to quickly move her bill.

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April 24, 2008

RIBLE: WATCH OUT TAXPAYERS, YOUR REBATE CHECK COULD BE THE NEXT TO GO
AS DEMOCRATS PROPOSE CHIPPING AWAY AT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, LAST YEAR’S PROGRAM LOOKS MORE LIKE A GIMMICK

Responding to news reports that some Democrats are urging Governor Jon Corzine to consider further cuts to the state’s property tax rebates, Assemblyman David Rible today said it is becoming increasingly clear that last year’s property tax relief “program” is disappearing piece by piece.

“When this new property tax relief program was implemented last year, New Jersey homeowners were assured the program would be sustainable because it would be a top priority in future budgets,” said Rible, R-Monmouth. “Just one year later the program is being dramatically scaled back, and with suggestions to cut the program further, it is looking increasingly like these tax rebates were just an election-year gimmick.”

In his Fiscal Year 2009 budget Governor Corzine had proposed eliminating property tax rebates for families with household incomes of $150,000 or more and reducing the size of rebate checks for those earning over $100,000. It was later announced that the administration is also planning to base the rebates on 2006 property tax bills instead of the 2007 bills – a move that means rebates will not be adjusted to reflect last year’s property tax increases.

This week Senate President Richard Codey and several other Democrat legislators have suggested that if Governor Corzine wants to restore spending cuts he has made to the budget, he should consider eliminating the rebate checks for all families with household incomes exceeding $100,000.

“There are plenty of areas of wasteful and unnecessary spending in this budget that could be eliminated before we even talk about cutting property tax rebates,” Rible said. “An increasing number of New Jersey families are finding they cannot afford to live in this state and Governor Corzine needs to keep his commitment to these families by not eliminating this much needed tax relief.”

When the property tax rebate program was approved in 2007, Republican lawmakers warned that it might just be an election-year gimmick that would disappear in future budgets. As an alternative they suggested a constitutionally dedicated property tax relief program delivered through direct credits to property tax bills rather than rebate checks.

While Rible said that rebate checks may not be the best mechanism for delivering relief, he warned that if Democrats continue chipping away at the program, there soon will be few homeowners left who qualify – and then taxpayers will be left to pay New Jersey’s highest in the nation property taxes with no assistance of any kind.

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April 24, 2008

CHIUSANO: CORZINE, DEMS CAN’T BLAME U.S. ECONOMY FOR NJ’S FISCAL WOES
LATEST STUDY SAYS NJ HAS WORST TAX SYSTEM

Citing the results of a new study released Wednesday that shows New Jersey has the worst tax system out of the 50 states, Assemblyman Gary Chiusano today said Governor Jon Corzine and his party should stop blaming the nation’s economic woes for the Garden State’s abysmal tax ranking.

“New Jersey’s fiscal problems didn’t occur over night as the governor and his party would like you to believe,” said Chiusano, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon. “The Democrats haven’t helped matters these past six years. They’ve taxed, borrowed and spent this state into economic ruin. Now they want to ignore their role in this by trying to exclusively blame our fiscal mess on the current national economic downturn. But the numbers don’t lie. We’ve seen these same results study after study, survey after survey, year after year.”

The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBEC) released its 2008 “Business Tax Index” Wednesday which ranks states from best to worst in regards to costs of their tax systems on entrepreneurship and small business. New Jersey placed dead last. The score is based on 16 tax measures, such as the state's top personal income tax rate, state's top individual capital gains tax rate, state's top corporate income tax rate, state's top corporate capital gains tax rate, any added income tax on S-Corporations, whether or not the state imposes an alternative minimum tax on individuals, whether or not the state imposes an alternative minimum tax on corporations, and property taxes among other things.

“For years, Democrats have implemented an anti-business agenda that includes over 100 tax hikes, numerous fee increases and excessive regulation including increases in the corporate business tax aimed directly at the business community, increases to personal income taxes that affect small business owners, new telecommunication taxes and the elimination of a tax deduction for net operating expenses,” stated Chiusano, a member of the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

“Each year we see, more and more, the failed crop of that agenda. The SBEC study is more evidence of this and yet Governor Corzine and the Democrats in the Legislature refuse to take action,” he continued. “In fact, they arguably made matters worse when they recently approved the Paid Family Leave Act which is yet another tax on businesses and employees.”

Chiusano said the SBEC study, in conjunction with data released Tuesday which ranked New Jersey among the 10 worst states in creating private sector jobs, will exacerbate the exodus of businesses and residents from New Jersey.

“Businesses can’t afford to do business here and residents can’t afford the state’s outrageous cost of living due to an excessive tax burden, massive debt and runaway spending,” said Chiusano. “To Governor Corzine and my counterparts I say, ‘Let’s face facts, stop making excuses, and work together to resolve these most pressing issues which threaten the economic solvency of this state.’ ”

To view the study, go to http://www.sbsc.org/states/.

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April 24, 2008

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Property-tax rebates / Reform vs. gimmick
Editorial, The Press of Atlantic City, April 24,2008

A little time travel to the recent past:

Remember just one year ago, when state lawmakers were touting property-tax rebates of 10 to 20 percent for most state taxpayers as permanent property-tax reform?

Remember when they shelved or watered down dozens of tough measures to rein in the cost of government in favor of what some considered a gimmick - a gimmick subject to the vagaries of the economy and politics?

Well, those same lawmakers are now apparently poised to roll back those "permanent" rebates. Under Gov. Jon S. Corzine's budget plan, people earning between $150,000 to $250,000, who received a 10 percent rebate last year, would get nothing. Those earning between $100,000 and $150,000 would see last year's 15 percent rebate cut by about a third, and those earning less than that would still get the 20 percent rebate - but based on 2006 taxes, not 2007. Renters will also see sharply lower rebates.

There has been little debate in the Legislature over the proposal so far. That's not surprising. It's a major cut that saves more than half a billion dollars, money that would be difficult if not impossible to find elsewhere this year. But it does underscore the Legislature's shameful failure to provide real property-tax reform last year.

And that's why a measure proposed last week by state Sen. Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, is so welcome. It's an important step toward future, permanent savings in the state's financially strapped pension system, savings that filters down to all levels of government.

Buono, who heads the Senate Budget Committee, wants to dust off some of the property-tax reform measures proposed last year but never adopted relating to public-employee pensions. She said she is drafting legislation that would bar part-time government workers from the state's pension system, would end pension credits for more than one job at a time, would raise the retirement age for new state employees from 60 to 62, and would roll back for new state workers the 9 percent pension boost lawmakers gave to public employees in 2001.

The reaction of the Corzine administration was largely negative. State Treasurer David Rousseau agreed with ending pensions for part-timers - now defined as anyone earning more than $1,500 per year, a ridiculously low threshold. But the rest of the proposals, he said, should be considered in the context of contract negotiations.

Wrong. As Buono points out, the 9 percent boost, as well as rollbacks in retirement age, were passed by the Legislature outside negotiations. They can - and should - be repealed by the Legislature as well.

These are the kinds of measures that could rein in the runaway costs of government on all levels - not immediately but slowly, with bigger savings in future years.

Most important, they could bring real relief to state and property taxpayers, not a gimmicky rebate plan that barely lasted a single year.

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April 24, 2008

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Another shell game with taxpayer cash
Editorial, Home News Tribune, April 24, 2008

When New Jersey raised its motor vehicle registration fees by a few extra bucks back in 2006, that fresh capital was supposed to go to fund new training classes for state police and the replacement of the Garden State's aging medical evacuation helicopters. Alas, as with a great many of the Legislature's ideas to tax its citizens more heavily for a supposedly greater purpose, the money generated by those higher payments — a cool $59 million so far — has never gone toward the goal for which it was intended.

In this case, the governor's office, through the Department of Treasury, has diverted more than half of those funds, a total of $30 million, to pay for other general programs, including police salaries and the purchase of police vehicles. As a result, not a single Medevac helicopter has been ordered. How odd, but at the same time, how predictable.

In most other jurisdictions across the nation, this sort of fiscal slight of hand might be viewed as something of a problem, if not wholly dishonest. But this is New Jersey, where nothing lawmakers promise is ever a sure thing, especially when it comes to taxpayer dollars and how they get spent.

Who, for example, is ready to forget how Trenton rerouted $4.7 billion from its unemployment insurance fund over the course of a decade, bleeding it dry? Now that the fund is desperately needed as the economy sours, New Jersey is considering an emergency appropriation to temporarily prop up the ailing account.

Who can forget either how lawmakers repeatedly suctioned away funds from the state's Transportation Trust Fund to pay for capital expenses in the regular state budget? Eventually there was little left over for the road, bridge and rail work that is so urgently required to keep New Jersey's people moving and its economy pumping, forcing Trenton to borrow more money, increasing its already stifling debt to pay for those needs.

Remember, too, how back in 2000 revenues from taxes on new cars and petroleum products — cash earmarked for transportation — was diverted instead to the general treasury?

Or how revenues from New Jersey's real estate transfer fee — income that was generated to pay the clerking costs associated with buying and selling property — were hijacked by the state and the counties for their other general expenses?

Those Jersey government shell games are one of the oldest accounting tricks in the book. Unfortunately, the see-it-now-and-then-you-don't high jinks is always sure to lead to trouble. This go-round is no different. Next year, New Jersey has plans to finally order some of those helicopters. The flip side is, it won't have enough to run any of those police training classes.

Typical.

Lawmakers must insist that all future receipts from those motor vehicle fees be kept in the account for which they were targeted. Otherwise, the fee increases should be rescinded.

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April 22, 2008

RUDDER AND ADDIEGO: STATE WASTES TAXPAYER DOLLARS WHILE CHASING JOBS FROM NEW JERSEY
CUTTING WASTE AND FOCUSING ON JOB CREATION ARE TWO KEY INGREDIENTS TO TURNING AROUND ECONOMY

Assemblyman Scott Rudder and Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego today said there is no excuse for state government to continue wasting taxpayer dollars while imposing taxes, fees and regulations on New Jersey businesses that have resulted in devastating job losses for New Jersey.

“There is a direct tie between government efficiency and the ability of a state to attract businesses and generate economic growth,” said Rudder, R-Burlington. “When businesses look at a state that is awash in corruption, burdened with excessive taxes and regulation and on the brink of a fiscal disaster, they are going to be reluctant to locate or expand operations in that state.”

New Jersey has lost 10,400 private sector jobs during the first two months of 2008 and this is continuing a trend over the past two years. Economists at the Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy today released data showing that in 2007, New Jersey was among the ten worst states in creating private sector jobs, trailing far behind neighboring states like New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut in creating private employment opportunities.

These reports come at the same time that recent legislative budget hearings and state audits have uncovered millions of dollars in wasteful or inappropriate government spending. Rudder and Addiego said that  businesses are reluctant to incur the expenses associated with operating in a high tax state like New Jersey where navigating regulations imposed by often times inefficient state departments is even more costly.

“The most recent job growth numbers show that our state has lost its competitive edge and that our taxpayers are losing employment opportunities,” said Addiego, R-Burlington. “Waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars drives up the cost of government, and in recent years that cost has been passed onto taxpayers and businesses in our state. We must address the first problem if we are to successfully address the second.”

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April 22, 2008

DeCROCE: NEW JERSEY FAMILIES ARE HURTING AS STATE JOB MARKET CONTINUES TO SUFFER LOSSES
SAYS CORZINE MUST ACT TO SALVAGE NJ ECONOMY

Saying that New Jersey families are facing an economic crisis, Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce today called on Governor Jon Corzine to take action to address New Jersey’s struggling economy as the state continues to lose private sector jobs at a faster pace than in neighboring states.

“For years, New Jersey families have been struggling to make ends meet because of our excessive tax burden,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “Now, in addition to that crushing tax burden, our families face the prospect of losing jobs and not being able to pay their bills because of an ever-weakening job market.”

In the first two months of 2008, New Jersey lost 10,400 private sector jobs. This came after several studies in the past year ranking New Jersey among the worst state’s in the nation for businesses.

Today, economists at the Rutgers Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy released data showing that, even as neighboring states exceeded national job growth figures in 2007, New Jersey was among the ten worst states in creating private sector jobs trailing far behind states like New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut in creating private employment opportunities.

The report included a section titled “‘Flat-lining’ New Jersey” saying New Jersey trails its economic peer states in job growth by as much as twelve times our state’s rate of growth and may find itself in particularly “precarious position” in 2008.

DeCroce pointed to the Corzine administration’s policies which he said have actually made matters worse for the private sector. These policies include imposing a costly paid family leave program on businesses, adopting new regulations on the business community and New Jersey’s ever increasing state tax burden.

“Businesses look for positive signs and stability when deciding where to locate and expand,” DeCroce said. “When they look at the tax and regulatory policies in this state, and the condition of our state budget, they have little reason right now to be optimistic about New Jersey.”

“Governor Corzine should recognize that we are facing an economic crisis and he should start to undo those policies that are choking off job growth in this state,” DeCroce said. “Looking at these job figures, there is a serious concern as to whether people are going to be able to find work and support their families in New Jersey.

“Our families are hurting and we must take action now to help provide job opportunities for these residents,” DeCroce concluded. “If we don’t, we will soon find fewer and fewer families that can afford to stay in this state.”

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April 21, 2008

MERKT: WHEN WILL CORZINE TOSS A LIFELINE
TO NEW JERSEY’S SINKING ECONOMY?
STATE CONTINUES TO BLEED PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS

Assemblyman Richard Merkt today said that the economic numbers are impossible to ignore and wondered how long Governor Jon Corzine will dally before taking steps to rescue New Jersey’s struggling private sector and failing economy.

“For a guy who supposedly brings a wealth of Wall Street experience to the Governor’s Office, Jon Corzine has failed to show any grasp of how to revive our state’s economy,” said Merkt, R-Morris. “Instead of helping the private sector lift New Jersey’s economy out of its slump, his administration has only made things worse.”

In the first two months of 2008, New Jersey lost 10,400 private sector jobs. Recently released data also indicate that, last year, New Jersey was among the worst states in creating private sector jobs and trails far behind neighboring states in private employment opportunities. For years, respected economists at Rutgers’ Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy have warned again and again that New Jersey’s economy was falling behind and faced a precarious future, but their warnings fell on deaf ears.

Merkt said that blaming our state’s fiscal woes on the national economy – as Democrat leaders have habitually done – is clearly nothing but a cop-out, given how poorly our state compares to others. He noted that the Corzine administration has actually made matters worse for the private sector by imposing paid family leave, new regulations on business and an ever increasing state tax burden.

“The policies of this administration have choked off economic growth and they are throttling our state’s job market,” Merkt said. “This isn’t about the national economy; this is about abysmal decisions by political leaders in this state, and the negative impact their lack of vision is having on New Jersey’s economy.”

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April 21, 2008

RUMANA SAYS LEGISLATURE SHOULD PUT AN IMMEDIATE END TO DUAL OFFICE-HOLDING
ASSEMBLYMAN SOUGHT TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE, STEPPING DOWN AS MAYOR BEFORE ENTERING LEGISLATURE

Assemblyman Scott Rumana today said that the Legislature should go back to the drawing board on the issue of dual office-holding, this time passing a bill that would ban the practice immediately – rather than “grandfathering” current dual office-holders.

“If there is a justification for implementing a dual office-holding ban in the future there is no reason why we should allow this practice to continue today for a select few individuals,” said Rumana , R-Passaic, Bergen and Essex. “Dual office-holding creates potential conflicts of interest and it inevitably drives up the cost of government. For those reasons it should be abolished immediately.”

The Legislature passed a dual office-holding ban in 2007, but the law would only apply to individuals who did not already hold multiple offices prior to February 2008. This meant that any current dual office-holders in the Legislature would be able to keep those positions. There are currently 19 dual office-holders in the Legislature.      Rumana was the mayor of Wayne when he was elected to the Legislature last November and he voluntarily chose to step-down as mayor prior to being sworn-in as a member of the General Assembly this January.

At a time when recent convictions of public officials on corruption charges has shaken public confidence in their elected leaders, Rumana said the Legislature needs to act to eliminate any concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

“Ideally legislators would make the same choice I made in voluntarily deciding to step down from any local offices they hold,” said Rumana. “If officials are unwilling to take that step on their own, then I believe the Legislature should move forward with legislation that would immediately ban this practice.”

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April 17, 2008

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Fast talk on tax rebates
Editorial, The Star-Ledger, April 17, 2008

If you're not parsing every phrase a politician utters, you should. Take, for example, Gov. Jon Corzine's very frank Feb. 26 budget speech in which he acknowledged the tough times the state faces and vowed to cut spending.

But there were, he said, certain priorities, and one of them was "sustaining property tax relief." Corzine promised that 70 percent of households -- those making $100,000 or less -- would get "exactly the same $1,000-plus rebate they received last year."

Turns out he's exactly right, even though he didn't spell out what that means. In 2007, the $1,000-plus checks from Trenton represented 20 percent of most property tax bills sent out in 2006. This year they won't because while property taxes rose on average 5.5 percent, the rebate checks won't. The 2008 rebates will not be based on 2007 property tax bills but on 2006 bills. It's tricky, but the bottom line is that rebates won't keep pace with property taxes, and the governor knew it.

We're not saying Corzine or legislators shouldn't tailor costs to reflect economic conditions. If the state needs to reduce spending, rebates shouldn't be spared. The Corzine administration estimates the rebate maneuver will save $85 million. That's a substantial and much-needed savings. Nothing wrong with that.

But politicians ought to be more upfront with the public. They shouldn't be relying on word games, as Corzine was in the budget speech. And they shouldn't make long-range promises.

Last year, as they approved a new rebate program, legislative leaders said the plan was designed to ease the pain of ever-rising property taxes by guaranteeing a check from Trenton that would cover 20 percent of the tax bill for most homeowners. Senate President Richard Codey and Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts further pledged that the savings would not erode over time.

That promise apparently came with a one-year time limit.

Not only will the rebates be based on a property tax bill that isn't up to date, but more people will find they are no longer eligible. The new cutoff -- announced in Corzine's budget address -- is $150,000 for a household. In 2007, it was $250,000.

All of this underscores two points. First, rebate checks are not the solution to controlling property taxes. A much more fundamental revamping of the way municipalities and school districts fund operations is needed along with a closer examination of how they spend those tax dollars.

Second, when politicians are less than honest with voters, public cynicism increases and confidence in government crumbles. The public deserves better.

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April 17, 2008

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Keep part-time employees out of N.J.'s pension system
Editorial, The Courier-Post, April 17, 2008

Conventional wisdom says, if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

New Jersey is in a deep financial hole, with a public pension system it cannot afford. Yet, last year as government officials dug deep into taxpayers' pockets to fund the pension system, the ranks of part-time, multiple-dippers earning more than $100,000 swelled by 20 percent.

These multiple public-job holders not only received salaries higher than the average New Jersey taxpayer, they also were eligible to join the state's pension system and receive lifetime benefits.

Calling them public servants doesn't appear to fit anymore. Clearly, the yoke is on the necks of taxpayers.

Gov. Jon Corzine and state legislators cannot establish credibility on reining in state spending if they allow this inane practice to continue. This situation doesn't require Wall Street smarts. To get a grip on state pension costs, state officials must cut the number of employees, raise worker contributions and end the wasteful practice of allowing part-time employees to cash in at taxpayers' expense.

Many part-timers also work in private practice or companies. Let them fund their own pensions. Their individual jobs might not pay much, but too few part-timers take only one job. In 2006, New Jersey had 6,271 multiple-job holders, including state standout Mary E. Bakery who held 12 jobs with Camden and Burlington county school districts to double-check districts' bank accounts. Altogether, multiple-job holders such as Bakery earned $354 million last year.

The cost of multiple-dippers to the public pension system isn't news to public officials. Many lawmakers, most recently Democratic Gloucester County Freeholder-Director and state Sen. Stephen Sweeney, argue that part-timers should be barred from the pension system. Corzine recently told the Courier-Post Editorial Board he agreed.

But unlike providing pensions for these part-timers, talk is cheap. State officials must close this spigot to part-timers, some of whom are lawmakers' political allies and friends. It's time to end this perk.

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April 17, 2008

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

State jobs for ex-lawmakers / End potential for mischief
Editorial, The Press of Atlantic City, April 17, 2008

Lawmakers leaving their elected seats too often plop right back into a cushy state job, courtesy of a gubernatorial appointment that keeps them snugly entrenched in the state pension system.

The potential for mischief is rife, especially when the stakes are big. Questions still surround former state Sen. Nicholas Asselta's lame-duck vote for the governor's school-funding plan a few months back: The outgoing senator from Cape May and Cumberland counties was nominated to a plum $125,301 position on the Board of Public Utilities the day after he cast a needed Republican vote for the governor's plan. Several years ago in Camden County, questions were raised about whether then-Gov. James E. McGreevey was handing out judgeships and high-paying authority jobs in order to clear the field of Republican incumbents. The list goes on.

So Assemblyman Vince Polistina's call for a two-year cooling-off period for legislators before the governor could appoint them to new jobs makes sense. So, too, does his idea to remove health care and pension accrual for appointed members of state boards and authorities. Some of these jobs and appointments would be far less attractive as political paybacks if they didn't come loaded with the state's top-of-the-line health-insurance benefits and pensions. And it's simply ridiculous for taxpayers to pick up the health-insurance and pension bills for part-time political jobs.

Certainly, Polistina's idea may have a bit of politics behind it: It was apparently triggered by Gov. Jon S. Corzine's nomination of former Atlantic County Assemblyman Frank Blee to a $12,000-a-year position on the Local Finance Board. Blee and Polistina were on opposite sides of a bitter Republican intraparty battle last year in which Blee ultimately decided not run for re-election - and wound up backing Democratic state Sen. James Whelan over Polistina's running mate, James "Sonny" McCullough.

But whatever triggered the idea, what's clear is that a $12,000 part-time job on the finance board should not come loaded with health benefits and the ability to stay in the state pension system. And there would be far less suspicion about deals and quid pro quos if the perks of these jobs were less lucrative and if there was a decent cooling-off interval before lawmakers plopped back on the state payroll.

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April 17, 2008

DOHERTY: NEW SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA ALLOWING STATE TO INFRINGE ON VOTER RIGHTS
DESPITE VOTER’S REJECTION OF HAMILTON SCHOOL BUDGET, STATE SAYS TOWN MUST ACCEPT BUDGET

Assemblyman Michael Doherty said a report today in which the state is forcing Hamilton Township residents to accept a school budget they rejected Tuesday, because they felt township officials could provide a budget with more of a property tax cut, is alarming and underscores the need to revise Governor Jon Corzine’s new school funding formula.

“We are definitely seeing an alarming pattern emerging in which the state is forcing its will on township officials and residents in regards to their school budgets and property taxes because of this obviously flawed new funding formula,” stated Doherty. “Hamilton Township is yet another town that wanted to lower property taxes but was told by the state ‘sorry, no can do.’ That is absolutely absurd especially in a state where residents are leaving in record numbers due to the unbearably high cost of living.

“Here we have another municipality where its public officials are working hard to keep spending down in order to keep property taxes in check and the state, which was supposed to reform the system, has instead become the major obstacle,” he continued. “Essentially, Governor Corzine is telling towns they have no right to control their costs. They are free to vote for budgets that call for an increase in spending, but are prohibited to vote for a decrease.”

According to an article in today’s Trentonian, Hamilton Township voters rejected the township’s school budget on Tuesday. Even though the budget called for a two-cent decrease in the school tax rate, taxpayers apparently believe the budget could be cut further. The state Department of Education (DOE), however, told township council members the $170 million budget provides for the minimum amount of spending that is permitted under law as per the new state school funding formula to operate the school district.

Doherty, R-Warren and Hunterdon, noted similar situations in Hunterdon County and Cape May where the school districts there wanted to reduce expenditures but were also told by the state it could not because the Corzine Administration’s new school funding formula creates a figure, based on property values and income levels of residents of what each municipality can supposedly pay for education.

Doherty pointed out that the DOE ruling in Hamilton sets a dangerous precedent as it completely ignores the will of the people.

“What happened to government by the people and for the people?” asked Doherty. “Voting is a basic American right and this week the state of New Jersey told Hamilton citizens ‘sure you can vote, but it means nothing.’ That’s a heck of a message to send to your residents.

“When Governor Corzine revealed the details of this new funding formula Assembly Republicans repeatedly warned it was inequitable and constitutionally flawed. How much more evidence does he need? This governor and his ruling party owe it to the good taxpayers of this state to go back to the drawing board and return with an equitable formula that gives back to residents the power of the vote and doesn’t punish municipalities for efficient operation of their governments.”

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April 16, 2008

McHOSE AND CHIUSANO: NOW WE’RE BUYING $622 CIGARETTE LIGHTERS FOR SEX OFFENDERS?
AFTER STATE BANS SMOKING AT PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS, EXCESSIVE SPENDING AT SEX OFFENDER FACILITY REVEALED

Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose and Assemblyman Gary Chiusano today expressed outrage at news reports highlighting the expenditure of $3,734 on six cigarette lighters at the state’s Avenel Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center – a facility that houses state sex offenders.

“It is no wonder that New Jersey taxpayers are disgusted when they hear reports like this one,” said McHose, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon. “We are cutting the department of Agriculture and closing state parks, but have no problem buying $600 cigarette lighters for sex offenders. Something is terribly wrong here.”

A news report today by Millennium Radio News revealed that the state Department of Corrections (DOC) paid a total of $3,734.10 for the six wall-mounted lighters. That price translates to $622.35 per lighter with New Jersey taxpayers footing the bill.

A state official defended the purchase of those lighters noting that they are outdoor lighters for the inmates when they “go out to recreation,” and adding that inmates are not allowed to have personal lighters or matches. Just last month the Legislature passed a bill, A-2308, which banned smoking altogether on the grounds of state psychiatric hospitals.

“The Legislature had no problem passing a smoking ban for psychiatric hospitals, yet we go to the other extreme in splurging on high-priced cigarette lighters at our facilities for sex offenders,” said Chiusano, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon. “This is real simple: Find cheaper cigarette lighters, or just ban smoking at this facility. There is not justification for this expense.”

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April 16, 2008

POLISTINA: FEE HIKES PROPOSED BY PINELANDS COMMISSION MAKE A BAD SITUATION WORSE
STATE ALREADY OVERREGULATED AND OVERTAXED

Assemblyman Vince Polistina today said that a proposal by the Pinelands Commission to increase fees for building approvals will continue to impede economic growth in South Jersey at a time when New Jersey already is perceived as overregulated and unfriendly toward businesses.

“New Jersey is already overregulated and overtaxed and these new fees will only add to this problem,” said Polistina, R-Atlantic. “At a time when our state desperately needs to create new jobs and promote economic development these fee hikes are yet another counterproductive step.”

The New Jersey Pinelands Commission is slated to have its budget cut by $780,000 in Governor Corzine’s Fiscal Year 2009 budget proposal. In response to that cut in funding, the commission has voted to impose higher fees for Pinelands permits including a first-time $200 charge for reviewing single-family home plan and charges ranging from $4,375 to $25,000 for public development projects.

A major complaint with the Pinelands Commission and Department of Environmental Protection has been that in many cases they take longer to review permit applications than are permitted by their own regulations. Polistina said the agency should look at streamlining that process and eliminating the current backlog before it considers imposing new fees.

“If we would stop the over-regulation and duplicitous reviews by state agencies, we would not need any additional personnel at the Pinelands Commission or DEP and we could actually cut the size of government and save money,” Polistina said. “Streamlining the review process will save time, save money, and the projects will not be any different because they will still be going through the required county and local approvals.”

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April 16, 2008

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Public pensions still place to cut
Editorial, Home News Tribune, April 16, 2008

With the state's financial woes at the front and center of public concerns, state Sen. Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, drove home the point on Monday that there are still plenty of money-saving ideas left to be tried from New Jersey's special legislative session on property-tax relief held two years ago. Her remarks were a firm reminder to fellow lawmakers of everything the state still can do — and of everything it has failed to do — to lower the burde