Senator Christopher Connors

August 27, 2009   

Contact: Jason Smith / (609) 693-6700
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, Senator Christopher J. Connors

Normally, we don’t weigh in on federal issues unless there is a direct correlation to State government. However, we are forced to make an exception in the case of the ongoing debate on health care reform that Congress is currently engaged in.

As State Legislators we do not have the authority or the ability to vote on any federal health care reform bill. That said, we feel it necessary to explain to the people of the 9th District where we stand on the issue given that our office continues to be overwhelmed with letters from irate constituents who believe the proposal will detrimentally impact the quality of the medical care they receive.

Another common thread found in the correspondence we are receiving is that people are furious with the prospect of government further intruding into their private lives. Moreover, many believe the extent of the proposed plan is not only unconstitutional but that in the end it will lead our country to financial ruin, thus compromising the federal government’s obligation to fully fund programs such as Medicare and Social Security.

Like many of our constituents, we are alarmed not only over the drastic, wholesale changes being proposed to our nation’s health care system, but the break-neck pace by which those in Washington are attempting to ramrod this policy through Congress.

Before it became apparent just how widespread the discontentment truly was, it seemed as though the American people would be denied adequate time to consider the proposal and the opportunity to weigh in on an issue directly impacting their everyday quality-of-life.

News coverage of town hall meetings across the country continue to paint a very clear picture of the outrage felt by many average Americans that is driving them to take personal action to have this proposal defeated.

Not unlike proposals in our State which convey Trenton knows better than the people and, therefore, will assert its authority, the initial approach taken by advocates of the health care reform proposal shows a real disconnect between government and its citizens.

It’s hard not to point out the similarity in the town hall meetings held on the Governor’s Toll Road Monetization Plan that also met with public outrage. Having attended the meeting in Ocean County, it was apparent people believed that Trenton had not exhausted all other alternatives, including spending reductions and efficiencies, before quickly deciding to hike tolls on the Garden State Parkway and other State toll roads.

To the same extent, we believe this is true for how people feel about the health care proposal. We just hope there is a better outcome for taxpayers.

As always, we appreciate constituents’ efforts in contacting us on the health care reform proposal, even though as State Representatives we can not act on any federal legislation. We will, however, continue to encourage individuals to contact their Federal Representatives in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to inform them of their view in this matter.

We truly hope the collective voice of the people will be heard in this debate.

Normally, we don’t weigh in on federal issues unless there is a direct correlation to State government. However, we are forced to make an exception in the case of the ongoing debate on health care reform that Congress is currently engaged in. As State Legislators [...]