Sending a Message to Governor Corzine... (Newark, Union: health insurance, unemployment, schools)

[doc1]

Originally Posted by 66nexus

I thought the 'medicine' was supposed to be raising the sales tax. Wasn't that supposed to fix 'all' of our problems?

After they boned us with that scam they used half the money from that on their so-called "Christmas Tree" tax money give away. Even the governor got bushwacked by that. Welcome to NJ, Gov Corzine.

[Ellwood]

hrjersey
However, the fact is that there are tons of cuts that can be made. The governor refuses to listen to proposals made on ways cuts can be made. Real cuts that have been presented to him. His town meetings are a joke. He isn't listening to what people are saying and his response to legitimate suggestions is insulting.[/quote]

Your statement basically sums it up. He refuses to listen. He does what ever is best for the unions, as they give him the votes. The rest of us will just move out of the state.

[AnesthesiaMD]

TRENTON - New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine says he didn't run for office "to be a number cruncher, or to play Scrooge."

-associated press

[doc1]

TRENTON - New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine says he didn't run for office "to be a number cruncher, or to play Scrooge

Yeah, it takes real leadership qualities to play Santa Clause with someone else's money.

[deere110]

Originally Posted by Ellwood

However, the fact is that there are tons of cuts that can be made. The governor refuses to listen to proposals made on ways cuts can be made.

It really amuses me when folks talk about how many darn "programs" there are in this state-there are "programs" for this and "programs" for that. The fact is that all of these "programs" that everyone wants cut so badly aren't funded anyway. They exist on paper but there is no money for the programs BECAUSE WE ARE BROKE!!! Someone give me one good example of a "program" that we can can that will make some discernible difference in the budget. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's just look at some of the alternatives to toll increases:

- Gas tax increase - Yeah, ok, we really need to pay MORE for that...

- Sales tax increase - Been there, done that, don't want to do it anymore.

- Other miscellaneous tax increases - Can you say Florio?

- Getting rid of the state police, stopping all road maintenance, charging $100 for state vehicle inspection (which is currently free), firing all state workers, and basically making the first state to declare anarchy as its official form of government -

Considering how many OUT OF STATE vehicles use the turnpike and parkway everyday, I don't think it's that bad of an idea. Delaware has been getting rich for years off of I-95, which, unlike the turnpike and parkway, THEY DIDN'T PAY OUTRIGHT TO BUILD!!! And guess what? It's the entire eastern seaboard which is footing most of the bill! The folks that are the most unhappy about this are those who live in Monmouth and Ocean which just happen to be republican leaning counties. Corzine could come to their house, serenade them, and hand feed them chocolate covered strawberries and they'd still find something to make a stink about. They're also the same folks that have two brand new SUVs (with which they traverse said toll roads) parked in their McMansion driveway. In other words-they aint hurtin. Higher tolls are a small price to pay to right this state's ailing financial ship.

The only reason that this thing has gotten any mileage at all is because 101.5 THINKS they have some sort of political power in this state. They stumbled into the Florio tax revolt (which was going to run him out of office anyway) and came out thinking that they had singlehandedly removed him from office. Rumor has it they had to make the studio doors bigger so that Jim Gearheart's head would fit through the jamb. Little did they (or do they) know that they had about as much effect on Florio's time in office as a fart on a hurricane. I can't wait to see how disappointed they are tomorrow. The "flying pigs coalition" rally ought to be about as lively as a funeral parlor.

Finally, the last thing I want to hear is whining from people in Princeton and Lawrenceville that trucks will now avoid the turnpike like the plague and take 206. First of all its not cost or time effective to do so for most drivers passing through the state, second, if you had just gotten over your NIMBYism in the 1960s and let 95 come through you wouldn't have this problem. You made your bed now lie in it.

[AnesthesiaMD]

Originally Posted by doc1

Yeah, it takes real leadership qualities to play Santa Clause with someone else's money.

I dont think I have heard a more infuriating statement uttered by a NJ politician. And in NJ, thats saying A LOT.

Personally, I am not so opposed to the toll increase, because I feel as though it is FINALLY an increase that hits someone else. In reality, I would MUCH rather see spending curtailed. With all the taxes we pay, in the state with the highest income, we should have MUCH more to show for it. How do most states with much less tax revenue manage to get by?

[deere110]

Originally Posted by eskmd

How do most states with much less tax revenue manage to get by?

Less services, lower quality schools, etc... That's not to say that there isn't waste, because there most certainly is, but much of it is at the local level. Unlike New Jersey, western and southern states don't have a police chief, fire chief, head of public works, school superintendent, etc...for every last town in addition to overlapping services at the county level. Until New Jerseyans embrace consolidation/county based services we will continue to have high property taxes and that's all there is to it. Don't be so quick to blame it on the politicians either-instead consider this simple example. Knock on the door of any Manalapan or Colts Neck McMansion and ask the homeowner what they think of their property taxes. After they stop cursing and jumping up and down, ask them if they would be willing to merge the Colts Neck school system in a county wide system (Monmouth) which would include Keyport and Asbury Park in exchange for halving their property taxes. Then watch how fast they shut that idea down. Our slogan should be "New Jersey-Where We Continually Shoot Ourselves in the Foot for No Good Reason."

[hrjersey]

John_G...you want to compare more taxes to a child getting a haircut. I think I want to be in your income bracket. I had a grandfather who used to say "I wish I had to pay more taxes." If your mindset is that the only way the state can manage is to take more money from the people then you will be among the elite few that can afford to live here.

Combine services...school districts/municipalities.

These toll increases will hit me personally so I do care. As I said in previous posts, I love NJ and want to raise my daughter here. But as a single mom paying for child care, a mortgage, property taxes, almost $400 per month in gas and tolls I am exhausted. The well is dry. So, do I flee to somewhere cheaper to a place I have no desire to live...perhaps. Life is made up of many trade-offs and battles. I've had my share of both. I want to hope that I wont be forced out. The sales tax goes up but that doesn't solve the problem. The tolls go up but I guarantee that wont solve the problem. So what will it be next?

I oppose the toll increase. That's my stance. Look for the money elsewhere, try harder. I have a right to tell an official that I elected (yes, I voted for Corzine), that I think he needs to try harder. And, yes, in the end maybe I loose the battle and make another one of those trade-offs by moving out of the state, but I'm starting with the battle.

[JERSEY MAN]

deere, not everyoneone lives in a mcmansion. I drive a beat up corolla with 182,000 miles on it. If they want to raise any funds, share the wealth. The GSP is driven by most people that live in this state. Why are only certain people being forced to pay for bridges and other things that have to be replaced in the WHOLE STATE. This is BS and you know it. And by the way you just showed up on the forum when this was proposed. Maybe you are Corzine Read the report like I did. After they raise the tolls by 800 percent it doesn't stop they will still raise the tolls by the COLA. So I guess you agree that people should pay 80-100 dollars to ride the NJ Turnpike. Give me a friggen break.

[AnesthesiaMD]

Originally Posted by deere110

Less services, lower quality schools, etc...

I could live with less services...or better yet...services provided by the private sector where companies actually have to compete for my business.

I think "lower quality schools" might be a fallacy. After all, we spend something like $19K per student in Newark. This is hardly a good school system. Money doesn't make the school system, the community does. We could substitute a little red schoolhouse in a community with a currently good school system and they would STILL perform better than other school systems IMHO.