Posted on 07/01/2006 7:20:30 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Corzine signs order closing N.J. gov't
By TOM HESTER Jr., Associated Press Writer 8 minutes ago
Gov. Jon S. Corzine closed the state government Saturday amid a bitter dispute with fellow Democrats in the Assembly over his plan to increase the sales tax, threatening to shutter beaches, parks and possibly casinos in the coming days.
The state lottery and road construction were among the first state services expected to be closed.
After Saturday's constitutional deadline to adopt a new balanced budget passed without agreement, Corzine signed an executive order just after 9:30 a.m., a grim climax to weeks of budget squabbling among Democrats who control state government but haven't been able to agree on a budget bill.
Services such as state police, prisons, mental hospitals and child welfare would keep operating. The casinos could be forced to close because they require state monitoring, though the casino industry is challenging a possible closure in court.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
LOL!
No question about it, Corzine is right--New Jersey is most certainly UNDERtaxed and needs higher taxes! (s-off)
bump
"...At a time when New Jersey's business climate is already one of the worst in the U.S., population growth in the state is starting to stagnate, and some state revenue sources have unexpectedly declined during a period of robust economic expansion, New Jersey taxpayers can ill-afford a sixth consecutive year of tax and fee increases.
In Governor Corzine's opening budget address he charged, "If you don't like what I've proposed, then give me an alternative that is as far-reaching and as fair."[34] Policy prescriptions for limited government and restrained spending have been employed for decades, but Mr. Corzine might want to follow the example of Colorado, a state that limits budget increases to population growth plus inflation.
Population growth in New Jersey has not exceeded 0.8 percent since 1995 and inflation has remained relatively tame. If yearly spending would have increased only at the rate of these two indicators since FY 1995, state expenditures would be approximately $42 billion, or about $8 billion less than current projections.[35] This difference amounts to a savings of over $900 per capita, which could have been (preferably) either refunded to taxpayers or used to address the state's structural deficit and unfunded liabilities. Other policy initiatives that could lighten future taxpayer burdens include modernizing the state government's retirement system by switching from a defined-benefit plan that is burdened by demographic constraints, to a defined-contribution arrangement. Finally, New Jersey could adopt some of the Medicaid reforms taking place in South Carolina and Tennessee, where the government might offer Health Savings Accounts and increased portability rather than the blanket coverage that has strained state and federal finances for years.
Conclusion: Trenton Must Reject Higher Taxes
After the release of the Governor's budget, one observer joked, "There are no immediate plans to tax the air we breathe—not this year, at least."[36] The proposal does not include plans to tax oxygen and nitrogen, but it does tax the water residents drink. An additional 4-cent surcharge per 1,000 gallons is just another sad example of the extent to which some policymakers will reach to capture the maximum amount of revenue while avoiding political accountability.[37] Garden State taxpayers have forked over enough money to the state in the past few years and double-digit budget increases won't deliver relief from this oppressive climate. Based on the Governor's previous remarks and business background, he is well aware of the impact of taxation and government spending, yet his rhetoric is not reflected in the budget. If he thinks simply adding to New Jersey's already high tax burden will drive economic growth and fill the coffers, why is the state still mired in deficits after soaking residents for $3 billion in additional taxes? New Jersey government has played the role of tax-hiker well over the past few years. After billions of dollars in higher taxes and increased debt, perhaps it is time to audition for a different part, one in which elected officials will learn the lines of fiscal discipline.
Can you imagine the outrage, if a Republican governor had done this?
Gotta hand it to NJ voters though... they elect RAT governor Jim Florio and he completely wreaks their state. Later they elect RAT governor Jim McGreeley and he completely embarrasses their state. Instead of starting over, they then elect RAT governor Jon Corzine who completely wreaks AND embarrasses their state. What does it take to get NJ voters to stop electing mafia approval Democrat hacks? They MUST be gluttons for punishment.
My husband just called me from the Race track. They are closing in an hour, due to Corzine. A worker there said that AC has said Corzine can go to hell, AC is staying open.
This should be good!
ping to my last post
LOL, I wonder if the National Guard will be called in to enforce it?
Break out the popcorn this is going to be good.
Can we say Gray Davis? LOL
Just heard on the radio that casinos might stay open....
LOL, oh they will, or the deer hunters in South Jerey will be finding a lot more skeletons in the Pine Barrens.
Atlantic City Secedes From NJ....LOL
The vote in Jersey is rigged, ever since Whittman got elected the mob and the socialist crooks have gotten together to make sure no GOP canidate ever gets elected Governor again.
Guess I don't need to handicap Monmouth today. Saves me a little time.
Radio airing snippets of people complaining about the NJ Lottery being shut down. Good thing the government doesn't supply crack, too. (Or does it?)
I'm surprised the Democrats did not find some way to blame this on George Bush.
In reality, though, Bush helped them solve the problem by reducing federal taxes. Even that couldn't fix the mess the NJ Democrats created, though.
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