Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean speaking during the Senate session on March 11, 2010.
Governor-Elect Chris Christie and Lt. Governor-Elect Kim Guadagno joined Tom Kean in the Senate Chambers for the swearing-in of Senator Mike Doherty on November 23, 2009.
Senator Tom Kean, a former volunteer fireman, inspecting new thermal imaging cameras with members of the Millburn Fire Department. Photo Credit: Millburn Fire Department
Senator Tom Kean speaking in opposition to Gov. Corzine’s 2010 budget which eliminates Homestead Rebates for 1.2 million New Jersey families and raises taxes by more than $2 billion.
Senator Tom Kean with veterans who came to Trenton on June 12, 2009 for a parade to welcome home New Jersey National Guard troops who returned from deployment to Iraq.
Senator Tom Kean speaking at the unveiling of “Oh Freedom! Blacks on the Battlefront and in the Aftermath of the American Revolutionary War in New Jersey” at the State Museum.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean talking about the New Jersey economy on September 23, 2008. Also pictured are Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) and Assemblyman Joe Malone (R-30).
Senator Tom Kean speaking to The Junior Statesmen Foundation at the New Jersey State House on August 13, 2008.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Diane Allen, members of the Senate Education Committee, issued the following statement regarding the State Department of Education’s decision to apply for federal “Race to the Top” education grants.
“I am pleased that Commissioner Davy has decided to apply for $200 million to $400 million in federal education grants,” Kean began. “Her initiative in applying for these funds will positively impact student performance for many years to come. Additionally, these funds will be vitally important to property taxpayers over the next several months.”
Senator Tom Kean released a video discussing the importance of SCR-60, legislation which would protect the state unemployment insurance funds that workers depend on when they lose a job or fall ill.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Diane Allen, both members of the Senate Education Committee, expressed disappointment that New Jersey is woefully unprepared to apply for federal “Race to the Top” education grants. Published reports indicate that the state Department of Education ceased working on the application in mid-November. The deadline for the grant application is January 19, 2010.
“It is disappointing that the state Department of Education will be unable to complete the grant application by the deadline,” Kean stated. “I believe, especially in our current fiscal situation, it is imperative to make every effort to apply for all of the federal aid for which we are eligible. Remember, New Jersey only gets back 61 cents of every dollar we send to Washington. To refuse to apply for a $200 million to $400 million education grant is simply inexcusable.”
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s bill calling for a constitutional amendment to end raids on the state unemployment insurance fund advanced today in the Assembly Labor Committee. The bill calls for a statewide referendum on whether the state should be able to balance its budget or finance unrelated spending by raiding funds collected solely by taxes taken from employers or employees’ paychecks.
Past raids have forced the state to borrow more than $1 billion to pay unemployment claims during this recession,” Senator Kean said. “Continuing deficits caused by raids on the unemployment fund will lead either to more borrowing or calls for job-killing tax increases on employers. Senate Concurrent Resolution 60 should be sent to voters as soon as possible.”
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement regarding Senator Diane Allen’s illness:
“My thoughts and prayers are with Senator Allen and her family during this challenging time. I wish her a speedy and full recovery and I look forward to welcoming her back to the caucus.”
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean welcomed the announcement by Governor Corzine that he is taking steps to save an additional $400 million in this year’s budget.
“Governor Corzine is making the tough, necessary decisions to ensure that the state budget remains in balance throughout the remainder of the current fiscal year. It is encouraging that he moved quickly to address the revenue shortfall.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean today called on Governor Jon Corzine to immediately impound all unspent funds. This year’s budget is running almost $1 billion behind in anticipated revenues. A projection by the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates the structural budget deficit for FY 2011 to be almost $10 billion. Impounding funds is using legal authority to set aside appropriated monies.
“It is vitally important that the Corzine Administration ensures that a portion of unspent funds are immediately impounded. Revenue collections for the current budget are running more than $1 billion behind, in the current fiscal year.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean reacted today to published reports that Jon Corzine is revisiting plans to generate more money from the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic City Expressway.
“Two years ago, many people in the state thought the governor’s irresponsible plan to monetize New Jersey’s toll roads was dead and buried; everybody but Governor Corzine. Published reports indicate that all along the governor has been planning to use the toll roads to generate more revenue for his reckless spending spree.
Corzine Tells New York Times He May Revive ‘Monetization’ Plan
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement regarding a comment published in The New York Times that Governor Jon Corzine may revive his plan to lease the New Jersey Turnpike.
“As I said last year, 17 Republican Senators are opposed to this reckless plan to raise tolls on New Jersey commuters by 800 percent. This plan truly demonstrates just how out of touch Governor Corzine is with the needs of the struggling middle-class families of New Jersey. This stealth tax increase will make our state even more unaffordable for too many people.”
Four Republican senators held a news conference today to express their growing unease at the failure of Governor Jon Corzine to honestly address plunging tax collections. After refusing to update revenue figures for months, Corzine finally admitted on Monday that tax collections have missed projections by 3.1 percent so far this year. At that pace, the state will have a $1 billion revenue shortfall, adding to the $8 billion to $10 billion deficit projected for next year.
Senate Republican Budget Officer Anthony Bucco speaking about the New Jersey budget deficit on Thursday, October 22, 2009. Also pictured (from left) are Senator Joe Pennacchio, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Steven Oroho.
Incredibly, the governor responded with only $205 million in accounting shifts and an order to his Cabinet to find just $200 million in possible spending reductions.
