Republicans Have a Better Plan Than Toll Increases or Gas Tax Hikes
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, a representative of the people of District 21, said Governor Corzine should not be pressuring the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to raise the cost of living for the people of New Jersey:
Senator Phil Haines, Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego and Assemblyman Scott Rudder today called on Governor Corzine to veto a plan to dramatically increase tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway.
Governor should take responsiblity for plan rather than hiding behind Turnpike Authority
Senator Jennifer Beck, and Assembly members Declan O’Scanlon and Caroline Casagrande, this afternoon said that Governor Jon Corzine’s proposal to nearly triple tolls on the Turnpike and Garden State Parkway will hurt commuters who use those roads and further damage our state’s economy without adequately addressing the future of the Transportation Trust Fund.
Ciesla, Wolfe and Holzapfel point out plan nearly triples tolls, primarily to fund just one project
Senator Andrew Ciesla and Assemblymen David Wolfe and Jim Holzapfel, the representatives of District 10, issued this statement after reading about the governor’s endorsement of a Turnpike Commission plan to nearly triple tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway:
“This proposal is as bad as Governor Corzine’s 800% toll hike scheme,” Assemblyman Wolfe said. “It nearly triples tolls largely to pay for one project, a rail tunnel into Manhattan. The toll proposal does nothing to replenish the Transportation Trust Fund that finances projects statewide. Rest assured, the governor and Democratic leadership will call for higher gas and diesel taxes, or even more toll or fee increases, as soon as the November election has passed,” Wolfe said.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement in response to news reports that Governor Corzine is again discussing transportation financing proposals with Democratic leaders in the Legislature:
“It’s incredible that after years of studying the possible options, the governor has yet to introduce a viable transportation funding plan. Republicans in the Senate and Assembly united back in May behind a budget proposal that financed transportation construction through 2014 without new taxes or tolls. It was the kind of plan the public would and still will embrace.
Senator Leonard Lance, the Senate Republican Budget Officer, announced today that he will introduce a Senate Resolution urging the United States Congress to restore tax credits for businesses developing alternative energy solutions. The credits will expire December 31st unless they are renewed.
Reconfirmation Hearings Would Focus on General (Mis-)Management and Whistleblower Trial
Senator Jennifer Beck (R-12), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman John Adler (D-6) to commence the long-delayed reconfirmation hearing of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Jeanne Fox.
Senator Steve Oroho (R-24) said this after learning that housing officials in Trenton knew, before the law was passed, that families who own homes destroyed by fire or other natural disasters would be required to pay new fees to finance low-income housing construction:
Senator Joseph Kyrillos, District 13, said he is appalled by reports that delays by the governor in signing a pension reform bill will cost taxpayers millions of dollars:
“A Star-Ledger article estimates that state and local governments will lose at least $1.42 million in the first year of estimated savings because the governor has dragged his feet and delayed the signing of these fair and thoughtful reforms.
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) says he agrees with Governor Corzine’s comments on policy regarding federally backed mortgage lenders, and says legislators should keep the Governor’s words in mind as they debate the Transportation Trust Fund in the fall.
