NJ: It Just Gets Worse

Higher and higher property taxes (via an end to tax rebates). Higher payroll taxes. No cut in the bloated state employee rolls. Frozen or reduced aid to schools or municipalities (more taxes!).
The news is all bad from wacky Jon Corzine's proposed budget that the Governor is set to unveil today.
Of course, Corzine will preserve rebates for "low income" residents. As always, Corzine is out to punish those who are productive and pay taxes and reward those who aren't productive and pay no taxes. And even in the midst of a total economic meltdown (with businesses closing down or fleeing the state in droves) Corzine continues to punish the private sector.
Democrat Senate President Dick Codey says this is the worst economic scenario he's seen in 35 years in the legislature. Hey, Codey: After all that time in Trenton if it's so bad why don't you pack up and get the hell out of town? You've earned enough at our expense and piled up enough money in your pension to pack it in. What are you waiting for?
As for Corzine, we've pretty much given up any hope that this old-line liberal will ever come to his senses. His elitist tax-and-spend mentality is hopelessly out-of-touch with current realities.
New Jersey needs smaller government, fewer regulations, consolidation of government agencies and local government entities, an end to waste and mismanagement, lower taxes and a new, solid pro-business climate.
Here's what Christopher Christie plans to do:
It will be a priority in the Christie administration to reduce New Jersey’s gross income tax during Christie’s first 4 year term as Governor. Christie will seek two types of income tax reductions: One will be an “across the board” rate cut for all taxpayers. The other will be an additional cut or credit for those taxpayers who derive business income from New Jersey-based small businesses. These taxes will be reduced to encourage investment in and expansion of New Jersey-based small business, and make our tax policies more competitive with the other states in the region that have better private sector job growth.
And Christie also plans to reduce the corporate business tax rate, freeze all new agency rules and regulations to eliminate red tape, eliminate agency funding from fees and fines and mandate funding "on budget" from the general fund, eliminate special interest giveaways and nurture and expand the state manufacturing base.
Christie's been one tough prosecutor and he will be an equally tenacious Governor. New Jersey's culture of corruption will be put on notice: Clean up you act or wind up in jail.
New Jersey will face one of the most critical decisions in its history this November: more waste, corruption, mismanagement and tax and spend or a new era of positive action under a new, courageous, independent leader committed to growth and reform.
Avanti!