As Governor Corzine delivered further information regarding his proposed cuts to the state’s budget, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce said they are amazed at how Corzine refuses to listen to taxpayers ‘ pleas to reduce spending that has put the state into further debt. Both agreed the governor’s lack of leadership has contributed to the state’s fiscal crisis.
Senator Calls on Corzine to Reverse Inconsistent Stance
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21) called upon the Corzine Administration to reverse their incomprehensible stance on State vehicle purchases and support Republican legislation to promote fuel efficient and alternative fuel vehicle use by both the private and public sectors.
Morris Plains, NJ — Months after his first requests for an explanation from the New Jersey Investment Council and Division of Investment about how it lost a staggering $155 million investing in the teetering Lehman Brothers investment bank, State Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Morris/Passaic) has received his first response – pages of records with any valuable information redacted with a dark marker.
In response to Governor Corzine’s announcement that he will identify only $800 million in budget savings to address a $1.7 billion loss of revenue and to pay for about $400 million in new spending, Senator Steve Oroho called on the Governor to listen to his own sound advice set forth in an Executive Order he signed in June. Executive Order 103, signed by Governor Corzine after the current budget was enacted, noted that it is incredibly poor public policy for the State to spend more than its recurring revenue.
Trenton Democrat Leadership Silent as Chorus of Opposition Grows
Senator Kevin O’Toole (R-Bergen) called upon Trenton Democrats to reverse course and abandon their new subsidized housing law as the groups of officials calling for a change in policy has grown to include local Bergen County Democratic officials.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce today issued the following statement regarding Governor Corzine’s comments related to the budget deficit the state is facing.
Senator Calls for Special Session to Bring Budget into Balance
Senator Joseph Kyrillos (R-13) gave his support today to a lawsuit filed December 31 by members of the Senate Republican Caucus against the Corzine administration and is calling for a special session of the Legislature to put New Jersey’s budget back into balance.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee Tony Bucco, Kevin O’Toole, Steve Oroho, and Phil Haines have filed a lawsuit against Governor Jon Corzine today at 9:15 am. The Governor is violating the State’s open public records law by refusing to provide documents that show what budgeted funds Corzine has frozen to address an at least $1.2 billion revenue drop and to pay for more than $100 million in spending bills he signed over the past month. State law appropriately grants the Governor the power to impound budgeted funds, and Corzine has claimed to be using the power, but refuses to say to what extent or to name the funds that will be impacted.
Corzine Refuses to Cut Spending, Takes Obama’s “Hope” Message Literally
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean responded to reports today that Governor Jon Corzine has planned to delay the introduction of New Jersey’s FY 2010 budget until mid-March. It is customary for the budget for the following fiscal year to be introduced in February, to provide the Legislature with sufficient time to properly review, alter and approve the budget by the start of the State’s new fiscal year on July 1. According to published reports, the delay is attributable to Corzine’s apparent reliance on a yet to be announced bailout from the Obama Administration to help cover significant deficits in the current and future budgets.
Economic Crisis, Questionable Requirements and Conflicting Reports Add to Confusion of Tomorrow’s Deadline
Senators Andy Ciesla (R-10) and Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-16) are calling for an extension of tomorrow’s deadline requiring municipalities to finalize their plans to meet the latest round of housing obligations from the state.
