Senate and Assembly Republican leaders Tom Kean and Alex DeCroce issued this statement urging the governor and Democrat legislators to do the right thing and join the 17 Republicans in the Senate and 32 in the Assembly in refusing to authorize $3.9 billion in new school construction bonding without voter approval:
“New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine said in his State of the State speech less than six months ago that he wants to “give voters the final say on new debt, just like the Constitution intended.” Governor, we urge you now to keep that pledge, and abandon your proposal to approve $3.9 billion in new borrowing for school construction.
“Because there was so much documented waste and fraud with the first $8.6 billion in school borrowing, the only ethical course is to go to the voters and ask their permission before the state requires them to pay for another $3.9 billion. The voters of this state will back borrowing if they are confident that it’s the best way to provide a quality education for our children. As the Home News Tribune said in a June 20 editorial, Yes, those schools must be constructed. But the timetable and the manner of financing are not set in stone; in other words, lawmakers have some leeway other than to draw down another $3.5 billion in state debt, as Gov. Jon S. Corzine is proposing, to get the job done.
“A vote on this massive borrowing will be a long-overdue and necessary referendum on whether citizens of this state believe their elected representatives are spending their education dollars wisely,” DeCroce said. “A delay to put this before the voters will not slow current construction because the state has more than $1 billion in bonds it has not yet sold from the initial authorization.”
“The children of this state deserve a quality education, but that is no excuse for squandering state resources or ignoring the will of the people. Let the voters have their say. Then we, their servants, will respond. Governor, keep your promise. No new debt without voter approval,” Kean said.
Link to Post:
http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/tomkean/united-republicans-let-the-votes-decide-on-debt/564
Similar Posts:
- United GOP To Governor: No School Borrowing Without Voter Approval
March 13, 2008 - Lance Announces Public Hearing on Debt Limitation Amendment
May 28, 2008 - Lance Urges Governor to Drop School Borrowing Plans
May 22, 2008 - Singer: Corzine Should Require All Towns to Share Cost of School Construction
July 9, 2008 - Bateman: Corzine Should Conditionally Veto Massive New Borrowing and Ask the Voters to Approve Original Amount
June 25, 2008
