Republican Leaders Senator Tom Kean and Assemblyman Alex DeCroce called on the Corzine Administration to support efforts to pass constitutional amendments through the Legislature that would restrain spending and control borrowing immediately. The Republican leaders are also asking Governor Corzine to introduce a balanced budget that does not include revenue from his toll hike plan.
“The Governor stated yesterday that he expects the debate on his toll hike plan to last until June,” Kean said. “Governor Corzine has previously indicated that he wants the toll hike plan to pass by March to allow for the inclusion of revenues derived from the plan in the upcoming FY 2009 budget. In light of yesterday’s statement, he is now obligated to propose a budget that does not rely on revenue from his toll hike scheme.”
Published reports indicate that more than $7 million have been spent on the toll hike plan to date. The traffic flow study and a draft of the legislation authorizing the Public Benefits Corporation have been released. A concession agreement, which by some estimates runs to over 400 pages, is still outstanding.
“The Governor must release the concession agreement now,” DeCroce said. “This is the most important element of his plan. After spending more that $7 million of taxpayer money, the Legislature and the public deserve to see the concession agreement.”
“The Senate Republican caucus strongly supports spending cuts to balance the budget, a constitutional amendment capping spending in the future and a constitutional amendment requiring all borrowing to be approved by the voters,” Kean stated. “The Legislature should move immediately on the constitutional amendments to ensure that they are on the ballot this November.”
Proposed constitutional amendments which would impose caps on the state budget have been introduced by Senators Oroho and Allen. A proposed constitutional amendment requiring voter approval of all borrowing has been introduced by Senator Lance.
Link to Post:
Similar Posts:
- Kean Renews Call on Governor Corzine to Propose a Budget Not Dependent on His Road Tax Plan
February 21, 2008 - Kean & DeCroce: Governor’s Toll Road Plan Appears to Violate the State Constitution
February 13, 2008 - Kean: Comments On Chamber Endorsement Of Corzine Road Tax
January 29, 2008 - Kean & DeCroce Ask Governor to Release Legal Opinion on Constitutionality of Toll Plan
February 14, 2008 - Lance Statement On Governor Corzine’s Budget Message
February 26, 2008
