Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin

October 9, 2009   

Contact: Senate Republican Office / (609) 292-5199
Assemblyman Dave Wolfe, Assemblywoman Alison McHose (R-24)

Governor Jon Corzine’s proposal to address the projected $8 billion budget deficit for next year’s state budget is nothing more than the deceitful approach he used to balance this year’s spending plan said Assembly Republican Budget Committee members, Joseph Malone, Alison Little McHose, Declan O’Scanlon, and David Wolfe today.

Corzine revealed the details to the Star-Ledger’s editorial board in Trenton yesterday, saying he would make a smaller contribution to the state pension fund, continue the income tax surcharge and not fully fund state aid to local school districts.

“The governor must think that taxpayers have a memory lapse with this proposal, said Malone, who is the Assembly Republican Budget Officer. “These were bad ideas last year and all he has done is dust off the same blueprint and try and pass it off as something fresh.

“Extending the ‘one-time’ income tax increase is why no one believes what he says,” continued Malone. “There is no such thing as a temporary fix for this governor when it comes to raising taxes.”

Corzine also said he is counting on using $2 billion in anticipated federal stimulus dollars to trim the anticipated $8 billion deficit, but stressed that it was impossible to say exactly how he would close the hole given the economic uncertainty.

“We have a governor who is quick to criticize, yet offers nothing new in how to deal with our structural shortfall,” said McHose, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon. “His solutions will only result in raising property taxes on New Jersey’s middle class, many of whom already lost their rebate check this year. He might as well have told us that the state will continue its reign for having the highest property taxes in the country. The only way Governor Corzine solves our budget problems is by pushing them off for another year.”

Corzine re-emphasized his position that he won’t take a no-tax pledge for solving the fiscal 2011 budget. He anticipates saving $2 billion by cutting pension contributions and $500 million by not fully funding required contributions under the school funding formula.

“Governor Corzine has the guts to tell taxpayers that his way of solving the fiscal crisis is to underfund required contributions to the state work force and our schools,” said O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth and Mercer. “We knew his magic wand was nothing but smoke and mirrors in balancing this year’s mess, and now he wants to wave it at taxpayers again and think he’s being responsible.

“Quite the contrary, the governor really has no viable way to break government’s penchant for spending,” stated O’Scanlon. “The only thing that is breaking is the backs of our middle class.”

Total state spending under Corzine has increased 17 percent, while property taxes have risen nearly 19 percent. The Corzine administration has imposed 48 new taxes or fee increases on New Jerseyans, raising over $4.3 billion in revenue since it assumed office.

“The truth is that Governor Corzine has nothing new to offer residents of this state who are in desperate straits,” said Wolfe, R-Ocean. “What he outlined yesterday is roadmap that will drive more people and jobs out of our state for more affordable places to live.

“But the governor and his allies in the Legislature refuse to listen to Republican proposals to cut spending and borrowing,” remarked Wolfe. “Their solution is to impose permanent one-time tax increases, take away property tax relief, and avoid funding commitments to the pension system and schools. His latest solutions will continue to inflict more pain on the people of New Jersey.”

Governor Jon Corzine’s proposal to address the projected $8 billion budget deficit for next year’s state budget is nothing more than the deceitful approach he used to balance this year’s spending plan said Assembly Republican Budget Committee members, Joseph Malone, Alison Little McHose, Declan O’Scanlon, [...]