Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008
It was just days ago that Gov. Corzine heralded the passage of a bloated state budget as unprecedented, fiscally responsible.
This budget takes us through a turning point and confirms our commitment to a common sense principle of finance, often ignored, that we should spend no more than we take in.
Of course this fiscally responsible state budget did not address school construction nor did it address infrastructure. The fiscally responsible state budget has nothing about the $3.9 billion Corzine is urging the legislature to commandeer from taxpayers.
Gov. Jon Corzine yesterday pressed the Legislature to revive New Jersey’s school construction program to the tune of another $3.9 billion.
No, that isn’t in the fiscally responsible state budget. Nor is the the threat Corzine issued taxpayers this morning on Good Day Philadelphia about funding infrastructure:
I’m not anxious to move forward with a gas tax. I really think we’ve got to find another way.
First of all Gov. Wall Street, the word to use is eager not anxious. Besides that, threatening to raise gasoline taxes if you do not get your toll increases just may be the issue that sinks your re-election. New Jersey voters are ultra-liberal, but they already know they are being gouged and aren’t going to accept much more.
They refused you on both issues previously. (Remember dear reader, Corzine’s first act as governor was to indebt us for 30 years to fund the Transportation Trust Fund for five years. Time is beginning to run out on that (of course, after the gubernatorial election) and he needs to find another shot of money to keep things going.) Now you’re pitting one tax against the other expecting the taxpayers to pick the lesser of two evils.
What was responsible about this monstrous budget you just signed? Bridges, roads, and school construction cannot continue to be funded outside the budget.
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Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008
While Montana and South Dakota close out the presidential primaries today, New Jersey is also holding a primary. Recall that Senate President Dick Codey forced the change in New Jersey’s presidential primary. That should have been today. How relevant were we? Would Clinton and Obama have campaigned in New Jersey if our primary was today? I bet they would have.
Anyhow, our senatorial primary was today, thus we saved no tax dollars by voting in February, we actually squandered money not to be relevant.
And since I am not registered to a party, I could not vote today. Yet, Gert and the children made their statement. Here are the happy voters outside the poll.
Have you done your civic duty today?
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Saturday, April 19th, 2008
This past week New Jersey held its annual school elections. Held in April each year, this is about the last vote New Jerseyans have in government. Voters are asked to approve local school board members and the budget to fund the local schools prepared by that school board. Mind you, some districts employ an appointed school board.
Turnout for these elections is abysmal. It was reported that this year, just 14% of the registered voters turned out to vote. That sounds a bit higher than I normally hear. In Millville, only 6.29% of registered voters voted. Nevertheless, my two children were present. Fritz pushed the red button that cast my ballot. Neither child has missed an election during their lifetimes.
Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts has called for moving the school elections to November to increase turnout. I favor this.
I favor moving the election for efficiency. The cost of elections and the time and effort of running these is a strain in times of budget crunches. I have advocated previously consolidating the municipal and school elections. Whether they be set in June (where our presidential primary should be) or in November during the General Election is not a major issue for me. November makes the most sense, I suppose.
What I do not favor is moving the election because 85% of registered voters are too lazy to get off their asses to actually vote. If one is so lethargic or apathetic to find excuses not to vote, moving all the elections to one day matters little. That person will still be lazy and apathetic. Frankly, I care not a hoot if such people vote at all.
Yet it seems that Speaker Roberts and I are for the same thing. I’ll just swallow hard when the reason is given and support the move because it is ultimately a good thing.
And while we’re talking school elections, congratulations to Ken Adams. Ken is a New Jersey blogger who ran for his town’s school board and was elected on Tuesday. Ken, it was nice seeing your post pop up in Google Reader the other day. It’s been too long. I know Delanco will have at least one board member not voting for frivolous spending.
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Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Dear Mayor Barse,
I cannot vote for you as I do not reside in Vineland, NJ. I do, however, work in your fair city and send considerable time there.
When you first ran for office you promised to fix, pave, and otherwise address the road needs in your city. I note that you are seeking re-election. I know it has been a contentious campaign. It probably isn’t a good time to bring this up, but the roads I drive are in terrible shape. Drive down East Avenue from Strawberry to Landis. Once you do that, ask yourself, “Have I adequately kept my campaign promise?”
Just something to think about . . . I know nobody is talking about roads right now, so sorry for the distraction.
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Tuesday, February 5th, 2008
Mobile post sent by Batona using Utterz. 
Replies. mp3
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