Tuesday, July 8th, 2008
Very quietly New Jersey lawmakers and Gov. Corzine took another $3.9 billion from taxpayers last week. It is not unprecedented; $8.6 billion was taken and squandered on school construction. Of course that money didn’t get the job done because it was so poorly mismanaged. Now that Corzine has installed his crony at the headed of the former Schools Construction Corp. does anyone feel it will be any less so? Neither do I.
So these folks decided $3.9 billion wasn’t worth asking our opinion of. Today they began shelling out the money.
Just what does a $127,000,000 school look like? I cannot fathom why any one school needs to cost that much.
Dunston McNichol’s article states:
Officials said the original program has been completely re-tooled, and includes tight controls to limit overhead costs and ensure that officials have enough money in hand to complete the projects they launch.
What’s the over/under before we hear about corruption with this money?
Posted in Education, New Jersey, Politics | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008
Posted in Politics | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008
New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine says he is fighting for principles by appealing a judge’s ruling that he cannot claim executive privilege in hiding e-mail between union boss Carla Katz and himself.
“The decision recognizes the long-established legal principle that a governor has a right to have candid and private conversations with others, but the judge defined that privilege quite narrowly,” Howlett [Corzine spokeswoman] said. “It is an issue that should be addressed, especially in this rapidly expanding digital age.”
Why isn’t Corzine fighting for the principle of keeping an appearance of impropriety from affecting the way state government is run? Corzine is using quite a bit of tax dollars arguing that e-mail with a union boss/former girlfriend during a time when the state was negotiating a new contract with her union is protected private speech.
A leader has the responsibility to his constituents to have heir business conducted openly and without corruption. Corzine has been less than candid about his relationship with Katz that included large financial sums that finance schools for her children. This ongoing relationship has the possibility of hurting citizens. Corzine should immediately release the e-mails and drop the appeal in the best interests of New Jerseyans. Refusing to do so is only working for the best interests of himself and Ms. Katz.
Posted in New Jersey, Politics | No Comments »
Saturday, May 31st, 2008
A judge finally ruled that the e-mail between Gov. Corzine and his former girlfriend is not private. These e-mails occurred while Katz’s union negotiated a contract with the state of New Jersey. It is nice to finally see some reasonableness displayed in the Garden State.
The public has a right to know whether the relationship between the governor and Ms. Katz had any improper influence on the governor’s paramount obligation to serve the interest of the citizens of New Jersey first.
Chalk this one up on the public’s side. We absolutely deserve to know that the governor is serving us before the woman with whom he has an ongoing financial relationship.
The first response from Corzine is via his taxpayer-funded lawyer, Attorney General Anne Milgram:
We intend to appeal.
Of course.
Posted in New Jersey, Politics | No Comments »
Thursday, May 15th, 2008
Why does a march against gangs happen on Father’s Day? How about honoring Dad instead? . . . TwitterLocal is pretty kewl. Here is the feed for Millville and 20 miles out . . . I am getting old. My students had physical education today. Whilst picking them up, I took a couple swings with the “Nerf” covered bat. I swung so hard on the second pitch I hurt my wrist. Even so, the ball slammed off the far wall. My students were impressed. 
I’ll pay for this for a few days, I am sure . . . Haven’t been watching The Factor much recently. The more air time Dick Morris gets, the less I am inclined to tune in. He’s been wrong with his analysis throughout the campaign. Why does this john still get a platform? . . . Not that I am following this at all, but the headline caught my attention. “Because of this case, I have been financially crippled,” McGreevey told the judge. Oh please. The divorce hasn’t harmed you, your corrupt nature has affected your earning power. I am fine him not paying his wife millions. She seems to want servants, helicopters, and the like. But “the Gay American” should be forced to pay a certain percentage of his income, just in case he is not playing it straight in the trial. History says it’s a fair bet he isn’t . . . Hey, Sen. Obama, I understand your use of sweetie. I use sweetheart several times a day. Of course, I say it to nine- and ten-year old students . . . Just in case anyone thought government does not overstep its purview, check out what New Jersey is pushing through the legislature. Citizens apparently no longer have the right to not purchase health insurance . . . Oh, I can’t believe suing is going to help Carla Katz with the union . . . I have to say I agree that the NJ DOE should seek to recoup squandered tax dollars from school districts who misused the funds . . . FWIW, playoff hockey is exciting . . . Forget closing the state parks. I just found $143 million to cut from NJ’s budget. This money comes with no strings attached. I thought Corzine got rid of the Christmas tree fund. I guess not. Really, Garden State voters: how long are you going to vote for corruption? . . .
Posted in Education, Family, New Jersey, Politics, Sports, Twitter | No Comments »
