September 21, 2009
Contact: Robbie Kenney / (609) 654-1498Assemblyman Scott Rudder (R-8), Assemblywoman Dawn Addiego (R-8)
After Years of “Last-Resort” Increases on Sales, Business & Income Taxes, Corzine Again Says Tax Hikes Will Be Last Resort
Assembly members Dawn Marie Addiego and Scott Rudder expressed disappointment that in a rare moment of honesty from Governor Corzine to taxpayers, he all but promised more tax increases if he remains governor.
According to a story in Sunday’s Philadelphia Inquirer, Governor Corzine will not rule out tax hikes but said they “should be a last resort.”
“Tax increases should be an option of no resort, not last resort, for overtaxed New Jerseyans,” Addiego, R-Burlington, said. “Taxpayers should be very concerned. We’ve heard time and time again about ‘last-resort’ tax hikes from Governor Corzine. ‘Last resort’ should be a warning that the Governor is willing to once again reach into the wallets of New Jersey taxpayers who are already stressed to the breaking point.”
In 2005, Corzine made a similar promise months before he raised the sales tax 16 percent to fund several hundred million dollars worth of legislators’ pet projects that were awarded in secret and sometimes illegal ways.
Later that year, Corzine again said tax hikes were unlikely. “In my campaign I said it would be a last resort and, now, it’s like a triple last resort,” he told the Newark Star-Ledger. He has since cut property tax relief, effectively raising property taxes, while directly raising taxes on income, businesses, tobacco, alcohol and lottery winnings.
“By catering to special interest groups and lacking the will to make tough decisions, Governor Corzine assured us of a deficit of $8 billion to $10 billion going into next year,” Rudder, R-Burlington, said. “The governor promised we would ‘grow ourselves out of debt.’ But after he and his party mates raised taxes 15 times since 2002, the governor has done nothing but smother growth and pushed people and businesses out of New Jersey.”
“The governor must stand up for taxpayers and say ‘Enough is enough, no more tax increases,’” Rudder added. “And then, follow through on that promise.”
Link to Post:
http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/addiego/corzine-promises-higher-taxes-for-new-jersey/4216
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April 1, 2009 - Addiego and Rudder Call for Special Legislative Session to Address $10 Billion Budget Deficit for FY 2011
July 21, 2009 - How Low Will He Go?
April 29, 2009 - Ciesla, Wolfe & Holzapfel: Corzine’s Budget Plan Hurts Middle-Class Taxpayers
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