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New Jersey’s State Parks

Governor Corzine has proposed closing nine state parks in order to keep spending down next year.

One in five New Jersey state parks would be forced to close at the height of the summer season and 80 parks workers would be laid off as part of cost-cutting measures forced by Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s austere budget.

There has been a lot of opposition to the plan. There was a rally at the statehouse earlier this week. Last week there was a rally at Parvin State Park, one of the ones slated to be closed. Geocachers have lambasted the governor’s plan. There is seemingly no one in favor of the closing the parks.

Unlike most, I say, close the parks.

No, it will not achieve what the governor desires (see below), but I favor reducing government spending. The governor is “trying” to do that. So, let’s support him. Sure, there are far better places to cut spending. Educational spending is up. That would be good to lop off. The state worker rolls are flush with salaries. We could carve out some there. Read the New Jersey blogosphere and you can find myriad other areas to cut spending.

But the man this state elected has targeted state parks and the elimination of the Agriculture Department. The Ag Dept. is kind of funny considering we are the Garden State. Oh well. Let’s support our governor. Any time a governor wants to save taxpayers spending, I think we should be open-minded.

I will be affected by state parks closing. But we are in difficult times. Corzine has challenged us to rise to the occasion in difficult times. If it will help the state of New Jersey to close nine parks, then so be it.

Let’s call his bluff.

The governor seems to be backing off his plan, however:

he said it was “pretty obvious” that plans to close nine parks and the Agriculture Department would be reworked.

That is not surprising. Closing the parks is not a money saver. Sure, there may be a couple million dollars saved, but in New Jersey, we spend in the billions. The entire plan was to draw attention to the budget crisis. How does a governor get people interested? He proposes cutting something folks use. That is what this was about.

So, folks paid attention. The parks will probably remain open, even if some services there are cut. Now what? Well, Corzine wants to spend tax dollars he doesn’t have. Since he doesn’t have them, he is holding the budget flat (essentially). Doing so puts the squeeze on all parts of government. If municipalities are flat-funded, then they have to deal with the four to five percent salary increases for employees, 12% (or more) increases in health benefits, and 10+% increases in fuel costs. Municipalities could raise local taxes. Although technically, there is a four percent cap on that. Millville circumvented it and I am sure others have too. But there is a political cost to raising taxes and not enough can be raised to gap the shortfalls so services are going to be cut.

Yup, services are going to be cut . . . unless . . . unless the governor can get folks to go along with his toll increase. That is what I believe all this is about. Corzine is still married to his asinine proposal of raising the tolls. With that influx of money, Corzine can once again spend.

And why is it that Corzine wants to spend? Because if he doesn’t, he can’t be re-elected next year. Without an influx of money, Corzine will be known as the one who laid off teachers, cut rebate checks, etc. He needs cash to spend so he can tout all the “good” he has provided.

I say we call Corzine’s bluff.  That way we save tax dollars and we set up Corzine to go away.  Now that’s a plan I can support.

Also blogged on this date . . .

• So Much for Agreement - 2008
• Dumbfounded - 2008
• Official - 2008
• Wiggly Party - 2007
• Considering Micros - 2006
• I Need Your Help - 2006
• Former President Clinton Is No Role Model for Children - 2006
• Daily Journal Is Spot On - 2006
• Not Stuck Yet - 2004

Tags: budget, Corzine, government, New Jersey, Parvin, Politics, tax