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 moves ethics reform legislation during Senate session. Senate Democrats immediately tabled the motion blocking ethics reform once again.
The following is letter to the editor by Senator Tom Kean that was published in The Star-Ledger on Saturday, August 15, 2009.
Dear Editor:
If you read the Star-Ledger Opinion page on Sunday, Aug. 9, it’s possible you were left with the false impression that New Jersey’s credit ratings fell during the seven-year administration of Republican Governor Christie Whitman.
For the record, they didn’t.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement after Governor Jon Corzine named appointees to the “Governor’s Local Government Ethics Task Force.” It took the governor nearly 11 months to make these appointments after he created the panel with an executive order on Sept. 24, 2008.
Panel Remains Vacant More than 10 Months After It Was Created with Much Fanfare
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement regarding vacancies on the “Governor’s Local Government Ethics Task Force.” The panel was created September 24, 2008 by Governor Corzine’s Executive Order 119.
Corzine Administration Claims Negative Rating Agency Action Is Good For New Jersey
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-Union) expressed absolute disbelief today that Governor Corzine’s administration issued a press release claiming it was a good thing that Moodys Investors Services placed New Jersey’s credit rating on negative outlook. In a press release, the Corzine administration is quoted as saying, “The affirmation of New Jersey’s credit rating by the agencies is a sign of confidence in Governor Corzine’s overall handling of fiscal matters in these historically challenging economic times.”
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement after learning that the Corzine administration will tax the vouchers that new car buyers receive under the so-called “Cash for Clunkers” federal stimulus program. Pennsylvania and Connecticut reportedly are among the many states that will not tax federal vouchers.
“Leave it to the Corzine administration to penalize New Jersey residents who gather the courage and the scarce resources needed to buy a new car during these uncertain times,” Senator Kean said. “It makes no sense to reduce the benefits of stimulus aid when the economy is still ailing. The governor should overrule this new nuisance tax immediately.”
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean called on Governor Corzine to order an immediate meeting of the state’s Local Finance Board. The board should consider exercising emergency control of cities in turmoil because their mayors and other key officials haven’t stepped down after their arrests on corruption charges. Federal agents have accused the mayors of Hoboken, Ridgefield and Secaucus, and Jersey City’s council president of bribery and other crimes. Though many of these public officials benefited immeasurably from Governor Corzine’s political support, they have so far ignored his pleas to resign from office immediately.
Estimates in Unbiased Report Show Largest Deficit in State History
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce released a report by an unbiased state agency that estimates New Jersey will have a budget deficit of at least $10 billion in the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2010. The estimate by the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services includes $8 billion in the budget and a deficit of $2 billion to $3 billion in the state’s unemployment compensation fund, which is considered an off-budget account.
Click here to view the OLS deficit memo.
The two Republican leaders again urged the governor to do the right thing and order the Legislature into special session immediately to begin developing a plan for dealing with this looming fiscal crisis.
Republican Senate Leader Tom Kean said he was surprised to hear that Governor Corzine issued a press release touting record-high state spending on property tax reimbursements under the Senior Freeze program.
“Senior Freeze reimbursements only rise if property taxes increase,” Kean said. “This is an admission the governor has failed to stop the growth in property taxes for yet another year.”
Five-Year Anniversary of Unnecessary Government Meddling in Private Sector
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-Essex/Union/Somerset/Morris) called on New Jersey’s ruling Democrats to move legislation to lift the ban on “Ladies’ Night” promotions and to join with Republicans to combat the growth of government policies that only serve to stifle economic growth and job creation.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement concerning the ratification of a labor agreement designed to end union opposition to the governor’s plan to defer a wage increase for public employees for a year and require 10 furlough days. In return, the governor agree to give workers a 7 percent raise in fiscal 2011, provide seven extra paid days off, add a paid holiday, and vow not to lay off or furlough any workers in fiscal 2011. Fiscal 2011 begins on July 1, 2010:
