Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Nov 6, 2007 11:32:12 GMT -5
www.nj1015.com/absolutenm/templates/?a=8474&z=1
Governor Jon Corzine's scheme to monetize state assets like the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway remains a closely guarded secret. Many of his fellow Democrats adamantly oppose the idea leaving some to wonder if that is why Corzine was not out on the campaign trail more often stumping for members of his own party. The Governor did attend a slew of candidates' events this past weekend, but prior to that he was noticeably absent from the campaign trail.
The Governor and other state Democrats staged an event late last month to press three New Jersey Republican Congressman who oppose expanding a children's health insurance program to help overturn the President's veto of a bill that would do just that. During a question and answer session with the press corps, Corzine was asked if he's any closer to making public his monetization plan. He seemed to bristle at the question and answered, "I don't actually think that fits in the discussion here and, 'no,' is the answer."
Was it the controversial issue of asset monetization that kept Corzine away from the campaign trail until the final weekend? He claims he was out there more than the media was reporting and said, "I anticipate being with some who are against the monetization plan as they know….hopefully we will be able to explain it in different terms when we get the decisions out of Washington that allow us to actually roll out a thoughtful program." So, does that mean he has no problem campaigning along side those who oppose his plan? Corzine says, "If they ask me I'll be more than happy to come."
A quick look at the website www.njvoterinfo.org will show you how many of those running in today's election stressed the importance of lowering New Jersey's highest-in-the-nation property taxes, but the Governor doesn't see this as an issue that has gotten much play. In fact, Corzine feels the opposite is true, "I think that surprisingly, not a lot of people have been talking about property tax relief and reform in this campaign, (that's) surprising to me."
Cynics claim that Governor Jon Corzine is intentionally delaying the unveiling of his state asset monetization plan until after today's elections because polls show voters oppose the very concept. Generating cash for the state by monetizing the toll roads has been the most critiqued possibility and surveys reveal voters fear huge toll increases. Those same cynics say by withholding the scheme, Corzine is protecting his fellow Democrats from backlash at the polls. Corzine says the plan simply isn't ready yet.
"We're going to have a real plan on recapitalizing this state," says Corzine, "we have to." He points out, "We now have more studies that tell us we're dangerously under-invested in our bridges, our roads, our dams, our sewers, I didn't write those reports up."
Early last month, Corzine didn't sound as though selling, leasing or otherwise generating cash through monetizing state assets was a done deal. He said, "There are a number of very precise questions that have a lot to do with whether the program is something I would recommend…..it's possible that if we didn't get the kind of opinion that I thought that we needed, that this is an idea that I wouldn't pursue."
Those questions remain unanswered. The Governor makes it clear that after the monetization plan is proposed, "I want a full debate on a well thought out program that I believe works and we're going to have that."
By: Kevin McArdle
Governor Jon Corzine's scheme to monetize state assets like the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway remains a closely guarded secret. Many of his fellow Democrats adamantly oppose the idea leaving some to wonder if that is why Corzine was not out on the campaign trail more often stumping for members of his own party. The Governor did attend a slew of candidates' events this past weekend, but prior to that he was noticeably absent from the campaign trail.
The Governor and other state Democrats staged an event late last month to press three New Jersey Republican Congressman who oppose expanding a children's health insurance program to help overturn the President's veto of a bill that would do just that. During a question and answer session with the press corps, Corzine was asked if he's any closer to making public his monetization plan. He seemed to bristle at the question and answered, "I don't actually think that fits in the discussion here and, 'no,' is the answer."
Was it the controversial issue of asset monetization that kept Corzine away from the campaign trail until the final weekend? He claims he was out there more than the media was reporting and said, "I anticipate being with some who are against the monetization plan as they know….hopefully we will be able to explain it in different terms when we get the decisions out of Washington that allow us to actually roll out a thoughtful program." So, does that mean he has no problem campaigning along side those who oppose his plan? Corzine says, "If they ask me I'll be more than happy to come."
A quick look at the website www.njvoterinfo.org will show you how many of those running in today's election stressed the importance of lowering New Jersey's highest-in-the-nation property taxes, but the Governor doesn't see this as an issue that has gotten much play. In fact, Corzine feels the opposite is true, "I think that surprisingly, not a lot of people have been talking about property tax relief and reform in this campaign, (that's) surprising to me."
Cynics claim that Governor Jon Corzine is intentionally delaying the unveiling of his state asset monetization plan until after today's elections because polls show voters oppose the very concept. Generating cash for the state by monetizing the toll roads has been the most critiqued possibility and surveys reveal voters fear huge toll increases. Those same cynics say by withholding the scheme, Corzine is protecting his fellow Democrats from backlash at the polls. Corzine says the plan simply isn't ready yet.
"We're going to have a real plan on recapitalizing this state," says Corzine, "we have to." He points out, "We now have more studies that tell us we're dangerously under-invested in our bridges, our roads, our dams, our sewers, I didn't write those reports up."
Early last month, Corzine didn't sound as though selling, leasing or otherwise generating cash through monetizing state assets was a done deal. He said, "There are a number of very precise questions that have a lot to do with whether the program is something I would recommend…..it's possible that if we didn't get the kind of opinion that I thought that we needed, that this is an idea that I wouldn't pursue."
Those questions remain unanswered. The Governor makes it clear that after the monetization plan is proposed, "I want a full debate on a well thought out program that I believe works and we're going to have that."
By: Kevin McArdle