Posted on 07/06/2006 5:31:59 AM PDT by new cruelty
We all know that old saying about things always looking greener in someone else's pasture. Compared to the brown, dead grass that is New Jersey's state government, I'd say that's certainly true. However, I have a feeling that residents in our neighboring states aren't thinking the same about us. In fact, they're probably shaking their heads in-between fits of laughter.
Yes, Garden State residents' morale is at an all-time low. This is what shutting down the government has done to us.
What makes me most angry is that the state's residents are suffering at the hands of the people we elected to office. These legislators have let down their constituents in a variety of ways. They betrayed our trust in their abilities to do their jobs. They've cost the residents much-needed revenue. They've bruised our state pride.
Forget political party lines. The next election, I'll be hard-pressed to vote for any incumbent who contributed to this mess.
It's ironic that our government shut down a number of viable, money-making machines, such as casinos and the lottery, when some lawmakers are trying to bring more revenue into the state budget through an increased sales tax. That proposed increase is at the center of the budget decision stalemate.
Reports estimate that the state earns $1.3 million daily from casinos alone. I wonder what scheme lawmakers will come up with next to cover the money that is lost to our state budget through the government shutdown.
Aside from revenue-generating areas, other agencies that handle matters, such as court cases and motor vehicle business, are going to have to eventually catch up. Either we'll have to pay state workers overtime costing more money or be subjected to longer waits.
At least state workers will be back on the job. The not-getting-paid consequence of lawmakers' inaction is likely hurting a lot of people's wallets. However, it's a good thing welfare checks were mailed out the day before the state began shutting down. At least some of the people who rely on the state to put food on their tables aren't suffering.
Unfortunately, the state may be taking more residents under its wing when the many workers ordered not to perform their jobs join the ranks of welfare and unemployment recipients.
Many news reports about the shutdown have focused attention on the tourism industry in Atlantic City. That's a shame because that city doesn't deserve to be the poster child for the state government's incompetence.
Going through a cultural renaissance of sorts, the city has been evolving from a downtrodden wasteland to tourist destination with something for everyone. However, any ground A.C. has made against its competitors mainly Las Vegas is undermined by all the national news stories publicizing the casino closings.
Outside the casino walls, other areas of tourism also are suffering. Historic sites, state parks and campgrounds all rely on day trippers or overnight guests to continue operating.
Tourists have every reason to be concerned about coming here.
New Jersey as a whole doesn't need another black eye, either. Those of us who live here may be proud of our state well, not in this case but if you've been anywhere outside our borders, you know that the rest of the country doesn't appreciate our positive aspects as much as we do.
If the state's image isn't tarnished enough by that smelly portion of the turnpike, our brash attitudes and those hypodermic needles along the beaches that have been gone for years, but no one wants to forget, then shutting down our government certainly adds a few new spots.
This was the last straw in any argument I would have had defending the not-so-great state of New Jersey. Really, what can I say to change someone's mind when I hear comments about what a horrible state I live in?
Shutting down the government and everything that goes with it is indefensible.
Unfortunately, I'm not optimistic that things will get better for Garden State residents in the near future. In fact, I'm betting we'll all be worse off before positive changes can be made or we decide to move across one of our state borders.
That bet, of course, won't be taken in a New Jersey casino.
Yeah, sure. The author's political ties are clear.
Shutting down the government and everything that goes with it is indefensible.
Government and the politicians can drop dead and nobody will notice. The fact that these scumbags have taken private businesses (the casinos) and public beaches with them is what is indefensible.
I can't work up much sympathy for people who keep doing the same dumb thing over and over for decades until it gets to the point of utter absurdity, and then whine and complain about the inevitable result. Obviously the great majority of NJ voters want an ultra-liberal, corrupt, dictatorial, socialistic government or they wouldn't continue to elect one at every opportunity they're given. But the rest of us shouldn't have to feel sorry for them just because they were born to be fools.
The Palestinians feel your pain...
Yeah,so the budget has increased over the last 6 years .
The governor has been in office for what ? 7 months ??
How about if you identify which programs are "unneccessary" ?
Having family history in Connecticut, I feel for everybody on the E. coast north of Virginia.
Some nice areas but not worth the cost of living under liberalism.
I agree with you. Ham handed dishonest prior Republican administrations resorted to fiscal gimmicks (like Whitman's pension obligatation bond) to balance the budget. Last year they sold bonds backed by cigarette taxes to balance the budget. The repubs never attempted REAL spending control, which requires pension/benefit reform, reducing levels of overlapping government, etc. They DID lower taxes, but did not attack the real problem. Whitman was a fraud. This has been coming for a long time.... Corzine has few choices, but has chosen the path of least resistance to the Dems: raise taxes to balance the budget. Then, a few years from now, after more give-aways to the unions, and when the recurring revenues they bonded away for a one year budget fix come home to roost, they will have another fiscal crisis.
It is a sad truism that people deserve the government they get.
New Hampshire here, registering an objection to your opinion.
Are you asking me or the elected officials?
I'll keep you in mind.
I agree. And I expect there are some on the left that agree with you as well.
How telling, when a Democrat shuts down the government they say "Forget political party lines".
No liberal bias though!
LOL. A few others pointed that out as well. It is very telling.
Wednesday was the first full day of a government shutdown ordered by Governor Corzine. Here is a list of services that were affected and the essential services that remain operating:
State courts
No regular hearings, filings or access to public criminal, civil, family or chancery records.
No jury duty
No in-person payment of child support (payments can be mailed to New Jersey Family Support Payment Center, PO Box 4880, Trenton, NJ 08650-4880).
Casinos
New Jersey's 12 casinos shut down Wednesday morning because they are not allowed to operate without the supervision of the state Casino Control Commission.
Environment, parks, historic sites and beaches
Forty-five state parks and 27 state-run historic sites are closed. Services will not be available at four state marinas, although owners will be able to access their boats and the Circle Line Ferry service will still operate from Liberty State Park.
Beaches at Island Beach State Park are closed, but county-run and municipally run beaches in Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean counties remain open, with county and federal regulators monitoring water quality.
No environmental permits are being issued. Enforcement inspections are halted, but regulated industries and wastewater, water treatment and power plants still will be required to self-report any violations and submit monitoring data. Environmental emergencies, such as spills, pollution releases or floods, can be reported to the hot line 877-WARN-DEP.
Hospitals & PAAD
Weekly state reimbursement to pharmacies for New Jersey's Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) program will be paid this week for prescriptions filled during the week ending June 30. New Jersey will make good on future PAAD reimbursements, only after a budget is passed. There is no uniform policy for filling PAAD prescriptions during the shutdown, so you should check with your pharmacist.
Monthly state reimbursement to hospitals for charity care they give indigent patients will be paid this month only if a budget is passed by July 17. All future hospital charity-care reimbursements are also contingent on a new budget.
Human Services
Regional year-round schools run by the Department of Human Services are closed, affecting 600 children who are severely disabled.
The state has stopped recruiting for adoptive and foster parents.
A state-run sleep-away camp for blind children, Camp Marcella, will close Friday.
Lottery
Instant and electronic lottery ticket sales have been suspended since 7:55 p.m. Saturday. Drawings are still being held for pre-purchased electronic tickets, including Mega Millions. All prize winners have to wait until the budget has been approved to claim prizes.
Motor Vehicle Commission
All Motor Vehicle Commission sites are closed. Renewals for licenses, registrations and inspections that would expire on June 30 or July 31 have been extended until July 31 and Aug. 31, respectively. New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania police officers have been notified. Inspections can still be performed at private sites, including garages and auto dealerships. Online renewal for registration is functioning, but mailings will likely be delayed. For more information, visit njmvc.gov or call 609-292-6500.
Racetracks
Live racing and simulcasting at The Meadowlands Racetrack, Monmouth Park and Freehold Raceway are canceled.
Real estate
Some home closings might be delayed because a builder cannot sell a new home without proof of home warranty insurance. The state Department of Community Affairs stopped issuing warranty documentation Saturday.
Road construction
The state suspended 128 road projects worth $1.5 billion, including improvements to the Spaghetti Bowl interchange of Routes 46, 23 and 80. Projects on Routes 4, 21 and 1 & 9 also were shut down.
What's open
All state troopers and corrections officers are working.
NJ Transit is operating all train and bus lines.
Tolls are being collected on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike.
All municipal courts and federal courts, Surrogate's Court and Central Municipal Court are open.
Hearings will be held on emergency matters, such as bail reviews, illegal tenant lockouts and other cases deemed urgent by four Superior Court judges on duty.
Residential services for disabled children and adults remain open. Programs run by psychiatric hospitals or state-operated developmental centers will stay open with essential staff on site.
OK I forgot that last bastion of sensibility in the Northeast.....keep up the good work
New Jersey
stats from WSJ today:
Property tax per capita: highest in US
State/local taxes per capita: 4th highest
State debt per capita: 10th highest
Top income tax rate: 5th highest
Business friendliness: 49th
ouch!
New Jersey
stats from WSJ today:
Property tax per capita: highest in US
State/local taxes per capita: 4th highest
State debt per capita: 10th highest
Top income tax rate: 5th highest
Business friendliness: 49th
ouch!
Its cool. We are a small red state surrounded by a sea of blue ( and Quebec to the north!).
Yeah, I know about '04: hopefully an anomaly due to Kerry being from a neighboring state.
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