Quote:
Originally Posted by VeradoDan
Just an honest question - How has Corzine made New Jersey a better state during his tenure as governor? As far as I can tell, he's raised taxes and fees on everything, COAH is even worse on small towns across the state, school regionalization will end up costing taxpayers more money and property taxes have continued to rise with even the smallest rebates being eliminated and state aid to local towns and school districts further being cut while billions are still being pumped into Newark/Camden and the like.
How could ANYONE vote for this guy?
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Governor Corzine came to Trenton in 2006 to put New Jersey’s fiscal house in order; alleviate our citizens’ property tax burden; broaden access to quality, affordable health care; and strengthen our state’s education system.
Though there is still much work to be done, over the last four years, we have accomplished a great deal, even as we’ve had to confront the longest, deepest economic crisis since the Great Depression.
Because of Jon Corzine’s strong leadership, New Jersey’s unemployment rate is significantly below the national average; our median family income leads the nation; and, our public school students rank at the top of the country in reading and math.
Governor Corzine reshaped and resized state government. He eliminated and consolidated departments, sold state cars, tore up gas cards and closed office buildings. He reduced the state workforce by 7,000 employees and achieved additional savings by increasing the retirement age from 55 to 62, capping pensions, and asking state workers to contribute for the first time toward the cost of their health care. This year, he even negotiated a 7.5 percent wage cut for public employees.
Because Jon Corzine made the right choices, he is the only New Jersey governor in over six decades to reduce the size of state government. The budget that he signed into law on June 29th is $1.8 billion smaller than the first budget he signed in 2006.
Even as he made government leaner and more efficient, Governor Corzine launched a first-in-the-nation Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan; instituted a new school funding formula; expedited billions of dollars in new school construction; made meaningful and lasting reforms to ease our state’s property tax burden; enrolled 80,000 more children in the state’s health insurance program; and, took a child welfare system that was once rated among the worst in the country, and made it one of the best.
Governor Corzine expanded property tax relief for seniors, enacted ethics, fiscal and government reforms, created a comprehensive anti-crime plan, and established cutting-edge strategies to protect our environment and generate clean energy.
Especially in times like these, it is essential that our leaders hold firm to our core values and show the courage to do the right thing.
Jon Corzine has been, and will continue to be, guided by the same values that he has championed since his tenure as your U.S. Senator. He believes in the constant pursuit of the common good – in our responsibility to nurture our children, honor our seniors, and protect those among us who are most vulnerable. He fights every day to advance and protect these priorities.
Managing the Global Recession
Under Governor Corzine’s leadership, New Jersey was the first state in the nation to pass a comprehensive economic recovery and assistance plan. Highlights of that plan include:
Creating Jobs, Putting People to Work
Through the Invest New Jersey initiative, the state offers a $3,000 grant for every new job created and sustained for at least one year, along with a sales tax exemption for the purchase of new business equipment. Invest New Jersey is expected to result in more than 16,000 new private sector jobs. In addition, Governor Corzine has accelerated investments in transportation infrastructure and school construction. Even as we are upgrading our highways, bridges and tunnels, and ensuring that all kids attend classes in safe and modern facilities, we are creating upwards of 10,000 new jobs. Working with our partners in Washington, Governor Corzine championed the construction of the Mass Transit Tunnel between NJ and Manhattan. The Tunnel will create 6,000 construction and related jobs each year over the life of the project, and generate 44,000 permanent jobs upon completion. The Governor’s Energy Master Plan will also result in 23,000 new green collar jobs.
Stimulating Business and Reforming the Business Climate The Governor’s economic recovery package also includes direct grants to businesses to offset the effects of the sales tax and significant changes to long-term legal, tax and accounting rules. While previous Governors raided the Unemployment Trust Fund to the tune of almost $5 billion, Governor Corzine stopped the raids. Even in an era of sharply declining revenues, he committed over half a billion dollars to the Unemployment Trust Fund, saving New Jersey businesses over
$500 million in additional taxes. Corzine also signed legislation to clean and redevelop more than 20,000 contaminated sites in NJ.
Protecting the Most Vulnerable
Governor Corzine’s economic recovery package provides immediate relief for working families, and for those who have been hardest hit by the global economic recession. The Corzine administration has expanded eligibility for home energy and heating assistance, increased funding for food banks and legal services for the financially distressed, and expanded property tax relief for seniors.
Protecting Homeowners
Governor Corzine enacted a first-in-the-nation mortgage mediation and loan modification program, and signed the comprehensive Mortgage Stabilization and Relief Act. Because of Jon Corzine’s leadership, New Jersey’s home foreclosure rate is almost 50 percent lower than the national average.
Partnering with President Obama
Governor Corzine and President Obama are friends and former Senate colleagues. Because they have forged a strong partnership, New Jersey will receive roughly $17 billion in benefits from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, including tax relief for individuals and businesses, infrastructure investments, additional Medicaid and education dollars and funds for green energy job creation.
An Education Governor
Jon Corzine believes that every New Jersey child has a right to be challenged, every day, in schools that are among the best in the world. His record reflects this commitment to our kids.
A New School Funding Formula
Governor Corzine broke a 40-year impasse on school funding with a formula that is rooted in our children’s needs, rather than in zip codes. The new formula distributes money more evenly across the state, increases funding for special education, and boosts the state’s support for extraordinary special education costs.
Increasing Classroom Dollars
Even as he has shrunk the overall size of government and made steep cuts in the state budget, Governor Corzine increased total funding for education by over $1.8 billion since 2006. The Governor also increased accountability to ensure that funds are used efficiently and effectively, and signed legislation to consolidate school districts and services. Because of Jon Corzine’s responsible management, we are getting more bang for our education buck.
Early Childhood Education
Under Jon Corzine, New Jersey has prioritized high quality early childhood education. We lead the nation in preschool enrollment and are on our way to ensuring that all children enjoy a good start in life.
Raising Standards
The Corzine Administration raised performance levels and toughened standards for high school math and science curricula. That’s why our students score higher on math and reading scores than all but two other states; our graduation rates are the highest in the country; and, Education Week ranks us first-in-the-nation for preschool enrollment. New Jersey students are also considered among the best prepared for higher education.
Building 21st Century Schools
Because he believes that education is a child’s most fundamental birthright, Corzine has authorized $3.9 billion for school construction – a figure that will increase to $5.4 billion when local contributions are added. The $5.4 billion will support 52 new schools in the former Abbott districts and hundreds of projects in all other districts. Governor Corzine created the Schools Development Authority (SDA) to reform the school construction process, demanding greater accountability, transparency and reporting requirements. The SDA has completed over 600 projects to date. In keeping with his commitment to equal opportunity, Governor Corzine mandated the recruitment of a diverse workforce for new school construction.
Providing Real Property Tax Relief & Reform
While property taxes remain too high in New Jersey, Governor Corzine has made considerable strides in easing the burdens faced by our state’s homeowners. The Governor’s leadership has resulted in the lowest rate of increase in nearly a decade – 3.7 percent.
Holding the Line on Property Taxes
Governor Corzine established major structural reforms to ease the property tax burden in New Jersey. He enacted a 4% cap on local tax levies, increased state spending on education, incentivized shared services and consolidations, reformed the pension system and created a new state school funding formula.
More Direct Property Tax Relief Than Any Other Governor
Governor Corzine committed more direct property tax relief in four years than any other Governor in New Jersey’s history – over $7 billion put directly into the pockets of New Jerseyans.
Helping Seniors Stay In Their Homes
The Corzine Administration expanded eligibility for the “Senior Freeze” up to the $80,000 income level, allowing an additional 70,000 seniors and disabled residents to receive state property tax relief, above and beyond the standard Homestead Rebate program. The Administration also eliminated the three-year residency requirement for seniors seeking eligibility for the senior rebate.
Controlling the Cost of Local School Taxes
School taxes account for roughly 55 percent of local property taxes. Because Governor Corzine made a significant state investment in our children’s education, New Jersey experienced the lowest increase in the school tax levy in more than 10 years. Prior to the Corzine Administration, the school tax levy was 6%. This year, the school tax levy was 2.65%.
Expanding Access to Quality, Affordable Health Care
Jon Corzine believes that health care is a right, not a privilege. That is why the Governor signed landmark health insurance reform legislation ensuring more affordable health care for all New Jerseyans, and implemented comprehensive measures to improve the efficiency, accountability and transparency of the health care delivery system in New Jersey.
Universal Child Health Care Mandate
Under Jon Corzine, New Jersey became the only state other than Massachusetts to enact a child health care mandate. Governor
Corzine expanded NJ Family Care to qualify 80,000 previously ineligible children, bringing the total number of insured kids to more than 570,000. The Governor also expanded access to Family Care for parents of enrolled children earning up to $40,000. When the Bush administration tried to kick 10,000 kids off of NJ Family Care, Jon Corzine went to court and made a federal case of it…and he won.
Expanding the Safety Net
Over the past four years, the state has expanded support for our community health centers, thus strengthening the health care safety net for the uninsured and underinsured. The Administration also reformed charity care funding to direct limited state dollars to hospitals that treat high percentages of the uninsured.
Helping Working Families
The people of New Jersey didn’t create the global economic crisis. Its roots lie in a string of bad decisions in Washington, greed on Wall Street, and a business and governing philosophy that said, “anything goes.” Jon Corzine believes that state government has a responsibility to provide a helping hand to those who have been hardest hit by the global economic crisis.
More Affordable Housing
The Corzine Administration has created or maintained 27,411 affordable housing units since January, 2006, and doubled funding for housing vouchers through the State Rental Assistance Program.
The Earned Income Tax Credit
Corzine expanded the earned income tax credit for 300,000 families, thus rewarding and incentivizing work.
Access to Higher Education
Jon Corzine increased funding for Tuition Aid Grants (TAG) that help our young people realize the dream of a college education. Since 2006, the Corzine administration has devoted nearly $800 million to TAG assistance, offering access to higher education for the State’s low and middle income students. This year, Governor Corzine also capped tuition increases at public colleges and universities at 3 percent.
Family Leave
Under Jon Corzine, New Jersey became the second state in the nation to enact a Family Leave Insurance law to help working families care for sick family members, newborn children, and newly adopted children.
Protecting Our Children
As a father and grandfather, Jon Corzine knows that children are our bright hope for the future. As Governor, nurturing and protecting our kids has been one of his core priorities.
Expanding Children’s Health Care
Under Jon Corzine, New Jersey became the only state other than Massachusetts to enact a child health care mandate. Governor Corzine expanded NJ Family Care to qualify 80,000 previously ineligible children, bringing the total number of insured kids to more than 570,000. When the Bush administration tried to kick 10,000 kids off of NJ Family Care, Jon Corzine went to court and made a federal case of it…and he won.
Reforming the Child Welfare System
Jon Corzine inherited a child welfare agency that was ranked among the worst in the country, and he made it one of the very best. He created the new Department of Children & Families, which has decreased caseloads and increased quality adoptions and foster care. In recognition of these reforms, the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote: “After years of work, the state has made significant progress in every required area.”
A New School Funding Formula
Governor Corzine broke a 40-year impasse on school funding with a formula that is rooted in our children’s needs, rather than in zip codes. The new formula distributes money more evenly across the state, increases funding for special education, and boosts the state’s support for extraordinary special education costs.
Increasing Classroom Dollars
Even as he has shrunk the overall size of government and made steep cuts in the state budget, Governor Corzine increased total funding for education by over $1.8 billion since 2006.
Early Childhood Education
Under Jon Corzine, New Jersey has prioritized high quality early childhood education. We lead the nation in preschool enrollment and are on our way to ensuring that all children enjoy a good start in life.
Building 21st Century Schools
Because he believes that education is a child’s most fundamental birthright, Corzine has authorized $3.9 billion for school construction – a figure that will increase to $5.4 billion when local contributions are added. The $5.4 billion will support 52 new schools in the former Abbott districts and hundreds of projects in all other districts. Governor Corzine created the Schools Development Authority (SDA) to reform the school construction process, demanding greater accountability, transparency and reporting requirements. The SDA has completed over 600 projects to date. In keeping with his commitment to equal opportunity, Governor Corzine mandated the recruitment of a diverse workforce for new school construction.
Supporting Our Seniors
Because he believes that we have a moral responsibility to honor our seniors, Jon Corzine has worked to ensure that our parents and grandparents enjoy a dignified and comfortable retirement.
Helping Seniors Stay In Their Homes
The Corzine administration expanded eligibility for the “Senior Freeze,” allowing an additional 70,000 seniors and disabled residents to receive state property tax relief, above and beyond the standard Homestead Rebate program. The Administration also extended the filing deadline so that all eligible seniors have a chance to get a rebate. The Governor also expanded eligibility for home energy and heating assistance.
Prescription Drug Assistance
Jon Corzine established the New Jersey Prescription Drug Retail Price Registry and ensured that over 300,000 seniors had an easier transition to Medicare Part D benefit.
Alternatives to Nursing Homes
The Corzine Administration advanced a long-term care initiative that increases home and community-based care options – alternatives to nursing homes – for our seniors.
Ethics, Fiscal & Government Reform
Jon Corzine has proven that government can do more with less. In his four years as Governor, Corzine has reshaped and resized state government, and brought more transparency to Trenton.
More Transparency in Government
Jon Corzine signed executive orders that toughen financial disclosure requirements, reform contracting and governance at the independent state authorities, and close loopholes in state pay-to-play laws. He also banned dual office holding and created the Office of Comptroller to audit all levels of government, including developments that receive state funding.
Reducing the Size of Government
For as long as anyone can remember, politicians of both parties have pledged to shrink the state budget. But talk is cheap. Jon Corzine is the only governor in over six decades to reduce the size of state government. Corzine reformed the state budget process, ended reliance on budget gimmicks, and eliminated “Christmas tree” spending on pet projects. His 2010 Budget is $1.8 billion less than his first budget in 2007. Corzine also promoted and passed a constitutional amendment requiring that state borrowing be approved by voters.
Reducing Personnel Costs
Governor Corzine saved $6.5 billion on pension and health care costs through negotiations with state employees. He increased the retirement age from 55 to 62 and required state employees to contribute to health care benefits. He also eliminated nearly 7,000 positions in state government through a rigorous hiring freeze, administrative efficiencies and a reorganization of government.
Reducing Crime & Ensuring Public Safety
One of government’s most fundamental responsibilities is to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens. Because of Jon Corzine’s leadership, New Jersey’s streets and highways are safer and more secure than they were four years ago.
Reducing Violent Crime
Since Governor Corzine took office, violent crime has decreased by 8.7% and murders have decreased by 11.2%.
Taking Guns off Our Streets
The Corzine Administration aggressively tracked illegal guns and upgraded penalties for gun possession and gun trafficking. Governor Corzine also supported a One Gun a Month Law that will crack down on the proliferation of gun violence. Finally, Corzine instituted stringent gun reporting requirements.
Cracking Down on Crimes Against Children
Under Governor Corzine’s leadership, the New Jersey State Police have partnered with county law enforcement offices and local police departments to create the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Task Force is responsible for coordinating efforts to stop child abuse and the possession and distribution of child pornography. Since 2006, the Task Force has contributed to 233 arrests for child pornography, resulting in 94 convictions to date. In addition, in 2008 the Corzine administration launched a statewide initiative to specifically target individuals who distribute child pornography on the Internet. Thus far, this initiative has resulted in 35 arrests for the possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.
A Smarter Approach to Law Enforcement
Governor Corzine initiated a multi-agency, comprehensive plan that includes strict law enforcement, prevention programs to help at-risk youth and re-entry programs to reduce recidivism.
Safer Highways
No one appreciates the importance of highway safety better than Jon Corzine. Following his well-known car accident in 2007, the Governor became a leading spokesperson for seatbelt use and signed
into law an important legislative package to improve teen driver safety. The Administration's significant investment in highway infrastructure has also made the state's roadways safer for cars, trucks and buses. Under Governor Corzine, New Jersey has had the lowest level of traffic fatalities in 60 years.
Committed to Diversity
Jon Corzine knows that New Jersey is strong because of its diversity. That’s why he has made it a priority to expand opportunities for women and citizens of color.
Diversity in Government
Jon Corzine appointed the highest percentage of women to the judiciary among any Governor in history, and more African American, Latino and Asian American judges than nearly every New Jersey Governor in the state's history. Eight women currently serve in his Cabinet.
Expanding Opportunities
Governor Corzine established the Office of Supplier Diversity and Division of Women and Minority Owned Businesses to grow minority- and women-owned businesses across the State. He is also promoting much broader access to jobs through workforce training, apprenticeships and employment goals.
Reducing Health Care Inequality
Corzine developed the Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative, New Jersey’s first strategic plan to improve the health of minority and ethnic populations.
Welcoming Newcomers
Corzine established a first-of-its-kind panel in New Jersey tasked with developing a comprehensive statewide strategy on immigrant integration.
Advancing a Progressive Vision
New Jerseyans take pride in our shared, progressive values. That’s why Jon Corzine:
Supports full marriage equality and is committed to signing marriage equality legislation in 2009.
Has promoted women’s health through increased funding for family planning services.
Is making New Jersey a national leader in stem cell research.
Abolished the death penalty.
Signed legislation to strengthen State laws on hate crimes and bullying.
Protecting Our Common Future
Jon Corzine believes that we have a shared responsibility to be good stewards of the Earth. His administration has been a leader in promoting environmental justice and a clean energy economy.
Reducing Greenhouse Emissions
Jon Corzine championed and signed the Global Warming Response Act, which mandates the reduction of CO2 emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% below the 2006 levels by 2050. New Jersey is the third state in the U.S. to make greenhouse gas reduction goals law. Governor Corzine was also ahead of the curve in enacting the first mandatory market-based “cap & trade” program in the U.S. to reduce carbon emissions (RGGI). Similar federal legislation is currently working its way through Congress.
Safeguarding Our Water Supply
Governor Corzine upgraded nearly 700 miles of waterways and 1,300 acres of reservoirs to the state’s highest level of water-quality protection (C1).
Creating a Green Energy Economy
Governor Corzine released the State’s first Energy Master Plan since 1991, providing a roadmap to guide the state toward a responsible energy future with adequate, reliable energy supplies that are both environmentally responsible and competitively priced. The Energy Master Plan established new goals and programs to support the
development of nearly 2,000 MW of solar energy and 3,000 MW of offshore wind energy by 2020. By 2020, 30% of the State’s energy consumption will come from renewable energy. Already, New Jersey has installed more solar panels than any state in the nation except California, and is working to lead the nation in off-shore wind production.
Respecting Working Men and Women
Jon Corzine worked his way through college as a highway laborer. He knows what it means to be on the long end of a shovel and believes that working families deserve dignity and economic security.
Family Leave
Under Jon Corzine, New Jersey became the second state in the nation to pass Family Leave Insurance – a self-funded insurance program for workers to be able to take six paid weeks to care for sick loved ones or newborns.
Bolstering Unemployment Insurance
While his predecessors raided the Unemployment Trust Fund to the tune of almost $5 billion, Jon Corzine stopped the raids. Even in an era of sharply declining revenues, he committed over half a billion dollars to the fund. Governor Corzine believes that working men and women shouldn’t have to worry about the solvency of their unemployment insurance, and in New Jersey, they don’t.
Safeguarding Pensions
Jon Corzine believes that people have a right to a secure retirement. That’s why he contributed more money to the public employee pension system in three years than his predecessors in the past 15 years, combined.
Protecting Workers
Under the direction of Governor Corzine, New Jersey has taken the lead in cracking down on companies that misclassify their workers. The state enacted Prompt Pay Legislation that ensures that subcontractors get paid on time and are able to contribute to union health and pension funds, and strengthened the Prevailing Wage Act with new provisions that crack down on so-called “alter egos” and “lend-lease” loopholes.
Working with Organized Labor
Governor Corzine signed an executive order providing for union representation for child care workers who take care of the children of TANF recipients and expanded access to union membership and job training through the Helmets to Hard Hats Program, which places former servicemen and servicewomen in the unionized work force.
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