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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Feb 4, 2008 23:26:15 GMT -5
This was a rough crowd tonight. one speaker pointed out how the state, though medicare payes for VIAGRA .......to HIV patients www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080204/NEWS/80204051MARLBORO — An angry crowd of 1,000 interrupted and shouted down Gov. Corzine at least a half dozen times during his presentation on his toll hike plan at Marlboro High School tonight. Shouts of "cut the pensions!," and "get rid of the tolls!' -- as well as derisive laughter -- forced Corzine to momentarily stop his 30-minute presentation on his proposal to borrow up to $40 billion and raise tolls eightfold over 14 years. Several times Corzine attempted to address the crowd's concerns, but he often found that difficult. "There's no question this will hit Monmouth County people hard,'' Corzine began at one point, but the rest the sentence was drowned out in shouts and catcalls. Nonetheless, the crowd settled down after a combative opening and allowed Corzine to finish his pitch. Two lines formed for residents to comment to and question Corzine after the presentation. Both lines stretched to the back of the auditorium within moments after Corzine opened the meeting to the audience. Marlboro police closed off the school auditorium when it filled with about 850 people, then police directed another 150 attendees to an overflow room where they were able to watch by video. Earlier tonight, protesters greeted those arriving for the forum. By 6:50 p.m., most of the seats in the 600-seat Marlboro High School Auditorium had filled up. The demonstrators included 67-year-old Joe Carey of Eatontown dressed as a flying pig and holding a large protest sign at the driveway to the high school. Carey got honks and shouts of approval from passing motorists on Route 79. "It's my first protest,'' said Carey. "If I ran my family like this, we'd be bankrupt. Governor Corzine doesn't get it.'' Carey said making spending cuts is the first step Corzine should take. He was joined by George Humphris of Toms River, who brandished signs with cartoons of the governor playing a shell game with toll increases, spending and the budget. He said he is concerned that the money to be borrowed will snowball into more debt. Humphris also criticized Corzine for not bringing a plan to the public earlier to promote more discussion. "Why not start discussing this a year ago? This is (being done) to ram this plan down our throats,'' Humphris said, referring to Corzine's goal to have it approved by March. "He's not listening to us.'' Other groups were outside the high school doors handing out literature for anti-toll increase groups and collecting signatures on petitions opposing a toll hike to bail out the state debt. "I think people are starting to get in tune,'' said Kevin Frechette of Howell, who was handing out cards for the group "Save Our Assets.'' Staffers from the office of Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, R-Monmouth, were collecting signatures from people opposed to raising tolls and borrowing against that revenue. "We just say "sign a position in opposition' and people come right over,'' said Dave Glass, Casagrande's director of legislative affairs. Jerry Meyer of Neptune Township was also handing out anti-monetization literature, but he wasn't representing a group. "(The parkway) Isn't the issue, it's what's happening with taxes and government and the state,'' Meyer said. |
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Feb 5, 2008 0:45:18 GMT -5
ohh, and Rush Holtz was all but bhoooed off the stage, introducing the gov.
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Post by admin on Feb 5, 2008 8:16:59 GMT -5
It is great to see the passion of the public being awakened. I hope that this is the beautiful beginning if a republican revolution at the ballot boxes. This state is in dire straights and the Dems are the ones who put us there. The GOP does need to clean it's own house and start getting on the ball with dealing with the many problems this state faces. I have to mention that because the GOP should not and does not get a free pass. They have made many of their own errors.
That aside, this toll road issue is just one more reason why we need change in this state. It was both sad and disturbing to see so many people fall for Corzine and get him elected. He was a bad egg from day one and that is not going to change. This state needs a good GOP party to make us a little redder.
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Feb 5, 2008 8:30:03 GMT -5
Under who's leadership was the states retirement age lowered from 62 to 50? Other little nuggets... A part time Judge who works 5 HOURS PER WEEK, can get a state pension. There are no caps on State Pensions, with some collecting over $100,000.00 a year. Sales tax can go up 30%, Income Tax can go up 20%, I forget it Propriety Tax can go up 20 or 30%, gasoline another 50 cents per gallon....Oh and the gov promises to freeze spending (not lower) and.....do not expect a homestead rebate (affectively, our property tax's have gone up without this rebate RIGHT! No you know wwhy we have the Homestead rebate, its a sliding tax increase seemingly without the pain of an overt tax increase)... It is great to see the passion of the public being awakened. I hope that this is the beautiful beginning if a republican revolution at the ballot boxes. This state is in dire straights and the Dems are the ones who put us there. The GOP does need to clean it's own house and start getting on the ball with dealing with the many problems this state faces. I have to mention that because the GOP should not and does not get a free pass. They have made many of their own errors. That aside, this toll road issue is just one more reason why we need change in this state. It was both sad and disturbing to see so many people fall for Corzine and get him elected. He was a bad egg from day one and that is not going to change. This state needs a good GOP party to make us a little redder. |
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adefonzo
Junior Member
If I can see further than some, it's because I have stood on the shoulders of giants
Posts: 308
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Post by adefonzo on Feb 5, 2008 9:22:02 GMT -5
Unfortunately, I was not able to get to last nights meeting...and I'm sorry I missed it.
Did anyone bring up the question about his wonderful new school funding formula?
Roughly 1/3 of the states budget goes to education funding, with half of that number (around $5.5 Billion) going to the Abbott Districts.
With his new funding formula, did the Governor address the issue of how much the state spends on some of these districts that no longer qualify as "Abbotts"?? Nope...in fact, even the Abbotts will be receiving and increase of at least 2% in their funding this year.
It just seems to me that an awful lot of money could have been saved in this one area...lord knows how many other billions could be saved in other areas where spending could have been cut.
Get used to it folks...this Governor is going to ram through this legislation just like he did the funding formula...and sadly, he'll get it passed into law, and we'll be paying for it long after he's gone from the public light.
These meetings are a show, nothing more. You really don't have to look much further than the last election, when the citizens of this state voted against that stem cell research question, but the Governor (since he's obviously smarter than the rest of us) went ahead with building the facility anyway.
New Jersey...some things never change.
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Feb 5, 2008 11:42:30 GMT -5
Andrew-
I am now under the impression that this Gov. had no clue how TRULY bad off this state is when he toke office.
There was brief talk about the new funding formula, and the Gov sounded like the "ABBOTT" ruling was something that this new formula is engineered to work around. Simply he understands the reasons, and he also see that there results compared to the monies spent is an abomination.
There where a few BHOOOO's at the mention of Newark and Abbotts from the crowd!
He did correct a speaker who raised issue with Newark spending $25K, the gov repeatedly countered by stating $17K.
He also mentioned that the Marlboro schools will be getting more, much needed money from this new funding formula. Honestly, he sounded confused, as thought he knew more money was coming to some Monmouth School districts, he just couldn't recall which, so since he was in Marlboro, he said Marlboro...
The bulk of the meeting talk about the $30plus billion thats needed for the State pensions, and that the number will ONLY GROW!
Ohh, also a priest was boooo'd when ho go up and asked the Gov to not cut any State funding to "Catholic Charities of NJ". I felt bad for this man of the cloth, but come on. Your in a room with 1000 citizens being told there is no more money, there sill be a budget freeze AND that some how or another the STATE WILL get their hands into your shrinking pockets, here is the Church asking the State for more money...WOW, now thats chutzpahs, in front of 1000 people!
Did I mention the Viagra for HIV patients that State Medicare pays for?
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Post by richardkelsey on Feb 5, 2008 11:44:38 GMT -5
Other little nuggets... A part time Judge who works 5 HOURS PER WEEK, can get a state pension. There are no caps on State Pensions, with some collecting over $100,000.00 a year. Really -- you don't say? I am shocked. Hmmm -- just wondering what other part-timers might profit from this arrangement? Hmmm. |
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Post by admin on Feb 5, 2008 11:47:14 GMT -5
Andrew- I am now under the impression that this Gov. had no clue how TRULY bad off this state is when he toke office. I have a bridge to sell you. You have got to be foolish to believe what you wrote. |
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Feb 5, 2008 11:51:49 GMT -5
Rich, something you would enjoy was discussed too...the elimination of the layers and layers of redundant government that is also bankrupting this state!~ The Gov stated simply, next time there is a public referendum on Home Rule, vote against it and you people will start to unravel ther layers. "You voted for home rule, you are paying for it!" Was more or less a direct quote! Other little nuggets... A part time Judge who works 5 HOURS PER WEEK, can get a state pension. There are no caps on State Pensions, with some collecting over $100,000.00 a year. Really -- you don't say? I am shocked. Hmmm -- just wondering what other part-timers might profit from this arrangement? Hmmm. |
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Feb 5, 2008 12:06:59 GMT -5
Brian, you had to be there, I think this Gov was shock to see how mush worse Trenton is ten Washington. He was criticized though for not issuing a budget freeze on DAY ONE in office. I am not suddenly a fan of this guy, but I think her though he would be able to talk plain sense to his Urban and North Jersey Democrates, and now he sees how totaly screwed up these people are! I wanted to ask about the 100,000 affordable housing units he's proposed... but the evening was short and the line to the mike was long! The Gov explained The Trunpike and GSP would be turned over to the PBC, Pubic Business Corporation, and private corporation that will be formed to manage the "business operations" of these Hwy's. Kinda sounded like the MTA in NY state. I am still not sold on Monetization, but the Gov was clear that the Hwys will not be sold to a private foreign company, yhata, yhata.... Andrew- I am now under the impression that this Gov. had no clue how TRULY bad off this state is when he toke office. I have a bridge to sell you. You have got to be foolish to believe what you wrote. |
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adefonzo
Junior Member
If I can see further than some, it's because I have stood on the shoulders of giants
Posts: 308
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Post by adefonzo on Feb 5, 2008 12:55:14 GMT -5
Brian, you had to be there, I think this Gov was shock to see how mush worse Trenton is ten Washington. He was criticized though for not issuing a budget freeze on DAY ONE in office. I am not suddenly a fan of this guy, but I think her though he would be able to talk plain sense to his Urban and North Jersey Democrates, and now he sees how totaly screwed up these people are! I wanted to ask about the 100,000 affordable housing units he's proposed... but the evening was short and the line to the mike was long! The Gov explained The Trunpike and GSP would be turned over to the PBC, Pubic Business Corporation, and private corporation that will be formed to manage the "business operations" of these Hwy's. Kinda sounded like the MTA in NY state. I am still not sold on Monetization, but the Gov was clear that the Hwys will not be sold to a private foreign company, yhata, yhata.... I have a bridge to sell you. You have got to be foolish to believe what you wrote. Fiber, if what you're saying is true, then I am beyond shocked. How could a former CEO of a major financial company run for a public office and not do his homework to see what kind of a mess he was getting into? If that's truly the case, it's all the more reason to say that the man is an absolute idiot who was apparently just running for office in order to inflate his own ego. |
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Post by admin on Feb 6, 2008 18:26:29 GMT -5
Looks like Comerade Gov is going to face another angry crowd......
Dear Constituent,
Governor Corzine will be holding a town hall meeting on February 9th from 2-4pm Hightstown High School to discuss his plan to borrow $40 billion and pay for it with an exorbitant road tax in the form of an 800% toll increase. We strongly urge you to attend this meeting and let the Governor know how you feel about this public policy which will dramatically affect so many of us in this district. This plan will increase the cost of living for everyone in the state, but the largest burden will unfairly fall on the hardworking people of Monmouth and Mercer Counties.
During our recently completed election campaign we opposed this idea and as your elected state legislators we continue to oppose it. At a time when people are leaving New Jersey in droves because it is unaffordable, the last thing we need to do is make it even more unaffordable with this massive road tax.
If you have any questions, you can email us at SenBeck@njleg.org.
Sincerely,
Senator Jennifer Beck
Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande
Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon
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