Dear Editor:
I am a polling junkie. Jon Corzine’s poll numbers were at an all time low when he tried to push through a budget that eliminated property tax rebates even as he raised DMV and liquor taxes. These increased taxes are making New Jersey the most expensive state for people to live in the Continental United States. Coincidentally (or not so), on the morning of the budget vote he suddenly “found” $400 million to restore some of the rebates, and instantly starts running campaign ads touting his largesse. He must think we’re fools.
The “Wall Street Wizard” promised to change the way Trenton budgeted four years ago, but Corzine just couldn’t say no to the state employees union and the Democrats in the legislature, causing the budget to balloon year after year. Now, he’s forced to use billions of dollars in one-shot gimmicks, including this latest “found” money, but this just pushes the bill off to the future tax payers of New Jersey. The middle class is already stuck with 8.8% unemployment, skyrocketing property taxes and real pain. Corzine’s gimmicks will just make times even worse for the years to come.
Eight years of McGreevy and Corzine shenanigans is enough. It is time to do something to really change New Jersey.
Amanda Martini