Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement in response to news reports that Governor Corzine is again discussing transportation financing proposals with Democratic leaders in the Legislature:
“It’s incredible that after years of studying the possible options, the governor has yet to introduce a viable transportation funding plan. Republicans in the Senate and Assembly united back in May behind a budget proposal that financed transportation construction through 2014 without new taxes or tolls. It was the kind of plan the public would and still will embrace.
“Our proposal dedicated $500 million already being collected from commuters, truckers and travelers to finance transportation needs. The governor refused even to consider this fiscally responsible and common sense proposal. Incredibly, he argued that in a bloated, $33 billion budget, there wasn’t any room to set aside 1.5 percent for transportation.
“My Republican colleagues and I again urge the governor to take a look at the responsible budget cuts we proposed earlier this year. A few have been implemented, but there are still enough remaining to finance transportation without depending on tolls, which become an increasingly unreliable source of revenue during times of widely fluctuating energy prices and a weak economy.
“It’s only been about two months since the governor and Democratic leadership in the Legislature trumpeted their role in passing the first budget on their six-year watch that didn’t increase spending, taxes or fees. A fuel taxes or toll hike proposal now will only prove they were never sincere about fiscal discipline in the first place.”
To see the Republican plan, click on “A Common Sense Plan for an Affordable New Jersey” on www.senatenj.com
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