Corzine Conducts Business As Usual

11 July 2006 @ 21:58 | Posted in » New Jersey, Politics

Let’s review quickly so we understand just how out-of-touch Governor Corzine is.

New Jersey’s infrastructure is so bad that Governor Corzine indebted us all for 30 years to borrow enough money to build and fix roads for five years.
New Jersey is broke. We know that for the governor told us so in March when he presented his “hard choices” budget.
New Jersey suffers from high property taxes. We know that because Governor Corzine has stated that it was the number one issue and what he will turn his attention to now that the budget is settled.
New Jersey just settled a mucky budget process. This showdown had Governor Corzine shut down srtate government for the very first time ever.

So, with that as background, how do we view Governor Corzine’s latest gubernatorial move?

With the stroke of his pen, Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed legislation Tuesday creating a new cabinet-level department focusing on children and families, signaling a new chapter in the history of New Jersey’s embattled child welfare agency.

No one, I suspect, thinks child welfare is not important. But given that the department has spent $345 million in the last three years “reforming” itself, one has to wonder why now is the time for this “cabinet-level department” who will earn a $141,000 salary for this department. We all know that heads of deaprtments have staffs. This is not scaling back government.

Despite the seriousness in which Governor Corzine speaks of New Jersey’s problems, one needs to see his responses, not listen to his words.

He proposed and signed a budget that increases spending. His proposal was 9.2% but with all the pork added late last Friday evening, that percentage is larger.

He has indebted the state for 30 years to fund five years of roads spending. Think about that: 25 years after the last project was completed, New Jersey taxpayers will be still be paying off the job. Does anyone expect Mr. Corzine will be a resident then?

Corzine sounds sincere when he speaks about our state. His actions, however, tell the real story. You and I are now funding another cabinet member who is earning a bigtime salary. This cabinet member will most certainly be appropriating funds to assemble his staff. This is all sold as “reform”. To us here at eCache, it is more of the same.