Senator Buono is hosting an Education Forum which is being held this Thursday, January 20th at Edison High School from 6 - 8:30 pm. The premise of the forum is to get a real world view of the impact the Governor's $1 billion education cut has had on public education from parents, students, teachers and the public. The forum is open to the public anyone that wants to testify or just attend may do so. If you plan on testifying at the hearing you may contact us to leave your name or just arrive at the hearing and sign in.
BUONO, DIEGNAN AND BARNES TO HOLD EDISON PUBLIC HEARING ON IMPACT OF GOVERNOR’S CUTS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION
Senator Barbara Buono, Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan and Assemblyman Peter Barnes will hold a public hearing in Edison this Thursday, Jan. 20, to give students, parents, teachers and residents an opportunity to share how the Governor’s $1 billion cut to public education has impacted their lives and their schools.
“Governor Christie’s public school cuts have had a devastating effect on many educational and extra-curricular programs our students have enjoyed and benefited from for years,” said Senator Buono (D-Middlesex). “I’ve been hearing from parents and students alike about the impact of these cuts and feel their stories are vital in order to help gain a full appreciation of the consequences these cuts have had on education.”
As the author of New Jersey’s School Funding Reform Act of 2008, Buono expressed concern with what she described as the Governor’s “complete dismantling” of the funding formula that was recently upheld as constitutional by the New Jersey Supreme Court “As we begin to craft the budget for the next fiscal year, it is vital that we understand the impact that the Governor’s last budget has had on our schools,” said Buono. “All members of the public are invited to attend and share their stories for the public record.”
Who: Senator Barbara Buono, Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan, Assemblyman Peter Barnes
What: Public hearing, “Coping with the Governor’s Education Cuts”
When: Thursday, January 20, 2011 from 6PM – 8:30PM
Where:
Edison High School Auditorium
50 Boulevard of the Eagles
Edison, NJ 08817
Showing posts with label governor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label governor. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, June 21, 2010
NJ Governor's Environmental Stance
From the New Jersey Environmental Federation.
Since elected, the governor has on multiple occasions publicly reaffirmed his environmental commitments to NJEF and the state including just saying:
No to:
Off-shore drilling
LNG facilities of any kind
The Delaware River Deepening, and
The Linden coal plant based on environmental justice and other concerns,
AND
Yes to:
Aggressive NJ-based development, both production and manufacturing, of clean renewables like wind [on and off shore] and solar,
Re-evaluating hundreds of miles of candidate Category 1 [c1] and other waters not previously approved to be upgraded to c1,
Additional pollution reductions including requiring clean diesel equipment at publicly funded construction sites,
Stopping the poisoning of Barnegat Bay from fertilizer and other pollutants,
Giving cumulative impact greater weight in DEP decision-making, and
Fixing cooling systems at both the Oyster Creek and Salem nuclear plants.
The Christie administration has also innovatively used various tools at its disposal at the state, regional and federal level to go after Exelon for radioactive tritium leaks at Oyster Creek, New York City garbage trucks on NJ streets, and a Pennsylvania coal plant.
The State Legislature and the Environment
In January, the Democratic-controlled "lame duck" legislature wrapped up an already very disappointing 2 year session with a double whammy. They passed 2 major anti-environmental bills at the last minute. One would severely delay and weaken one of Governor Corzine's few significant environmental achievements - updating the state's 2 decade old wastewater rules (6 other attempted updates over 20 years failed!). The other would extend the 2008 Permit Extension Act further undermining local decision-making and modern, science-based environmental and public health and safety protections.
After promising to support both and then neither, Governor Corzine in the end signed the permit extension bill, but vetoed the wastewater bill!
Kudos to Assembly Environment Chair McKeon and newly appointed EPA Region II Administrator Judith Enck for working hard to weaken both bills. Not to be deterred, the new legislature started to push the wastewater bill again in February. McKeon and Enck teamed up with the new NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Commissioner Bob Martin to kill the bill.
Meanwhile, Assemblyman John Burzicelli, chair of the recently re-created Regulatory Oversight Committee, appears intent on weakening environmental protections despite assertions to the contrary. The bills he is pushing make it harder for New Jersey to go beyond weak federal standards, NJDEP to provide regulatory guidance without going through burdensome rule-making, and more.
There is some good news on the legislative front. The new Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono, one of the few environmental champs in the Legislature, has been critical of Burzicelli's efforts. McKeon joined by Assemblyman Chivukula (chair of the Assembly Utilities Committee) and Senator Bob Smith (chair of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee) are working together on a package of solar, wind and energy efficiency bills, as well as a measure to stop the pollution runoff entering Barnegat Bay.
Unfortunately, even these relatively modest efforts are far from a done deal, especially given the state's budget deficit and economic downturn. Even if the "millionaire's tax" is restored, as in our view it should be, it would only generate $650 million to $1 billion of the $10 billion budget shortfall, 1/3 of the state budget. It is not enough to reinstate the clean energy funds, school aid, and safety net programs for seniors.
Yet, there is much the state can do that will clean up the environment, create green jobs for an emerging economy, and save taxpayer dollars. The state house should work to attract green businesses, as well as have the power to "just say no" to backward thinking projects - such as new coal plants, sprawling McMansions, and garbage incinerator expansions. Regrettably, much needed environmental advances aren't even on the table while major attacks are.
Since elected, the governor has on multiple occasions publicly reaffirmed his environmental commitments to NJEF and the state including just saying:
No to:
Off-shore drilling
LNG facilities of any kind
The Delaware River Deepening, and
The Linden coal plant based on environmental justice and other concerns,
AND
Yes to:
Aggressive NJ-based development, both production and manufacturing, of clean renewables like wind [on and off shore] and solar,
Re-evaluating hundreds of miles of candidate Category 1 [c1] and other waters not previously approved to be upgraded to c1,
Additional pollution reductions including requiring clean diesel equipment at publicly funded construction sites,
Stopping the poisoning of Barnegat Bay from fertilizer and other pollutants,
Giving cumulative impact greater weight in DEP decision-making, and
Fixing cooling systems at both the Oyster Creek and Salem nuclear plants.
The Christie administration has also innovatively used various tools at its disposal at the state, regional and federal level to go after Exelon for radioactive tritium leaks at Oyster Creek, New York City garbage trucks on NJ streets, and a Pennsylvania coal plant.
The State Legislature and the Environment
In January, the Democratic-controlled "lame duck" legislature wrapped up an already very disappointing 2 year session with a double whammy. They passed 2 major anti-environmental bills at the last minute. One would severely delay and weaken one of Governor Corzine's few significant environmental achievements - updating the state's 2 decade old wastewater rules (6 other attempted updates over 20 years failed!). The other would extend the 2008 Permit Extension Act further undermining local decision-making and modern, science-based environmental and public health and safety protections.
After promising to support both and then neither, Governor Corzine in the end signed the permit extension bill, but vetoed the wastewater bill!
Kudos to Assembly Environment Chair McKeon and newly appointed EPA Region II Administrator Judith Enck for working hard to weaken both bills. Not to be deterred, the new legislature started to push the wastewater bill again in February. McKeon and Enck teamed up with the new NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Commissioner Bob Martin to kill the bill.
Meanwhile, Assemblyman John Burzicelli, chair of the recently re-created Regulatory Oversight Committee, appears intent on weakening environmental protections despite assertions to the contrary. The bills he is pushing make it harder for New Jersey to go beyond weak federal standards, NJDEP to provide regulatory guidance without going through burdensome rule-making, and more.
There is some good news on the legislative front. The new Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono, one of the few environmental champs in the Legislature, has been critical of Burzicelli's efforts. McKeon joined by Assemblyman Chivukula (chair of the Assembly Utilities Committee) and Senator Bob Smith (chair of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee) are working together on a package of solar, wind and energy efficiency bills, as well as a measure to stop the pollution runoff entering Barnegat Bay.
Unfortunately, even these relatively modest efforts are far from a done deal, especially given the state's budget deficit and economic downturn. Even if the "millionaire's tax" is restored, as in our view it should be, it would only generate $650 million to $1 billion of the $10 billion budget shortfall, 1/3 of the state budget. It is not enough to reinstate the clean energy funds, school aid, and safety net programs for seniors.
Yet, there is much the state can do that will clean up the environment, create green jobs for an emerging economy, and save taxpayer dollars. The state house should work to attract green businesses, as well as have the power to "just say no" to backward thinking projects - such as new coal plants, sprawling McMansions, and garbage incinerator expansions. Regrettably, much needed environmental advances aren't even on the table while major attacks are.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Congratulations Governor Christie! NJ State and Municipal Employees - Update your Resumes!
The election for the Governorship of New Jersey is finally over. Thousands of hours of negative campaigning and commercial advertising have led to a Chris Christie (R) victory over incumbent Jon Corzine (D). None of the three candidates offered particularly appealed to New Jersey residents as evidenced by the pathetic voter turnout. There was little to be excited about. The choices were "Christie: He May Be A Fat Republican But He's OUR Fat Republican!" versus "Corzine - At Least I'm Not Gay Like The Last Guy!" versus "Daggett: I Am SO NOT a Third Party Spoiler Candidate!"
So as someone who did vote (albeit unenthusiastically) I wondered what sort of ramifications a Christie governorship would entail, I was surprised that the voter turnout wasn't a bit more robust in favor of Corzine by New Jersey State employees. Remember all the whining about furloughs? Well, that's going to look like the "good old days" after Christie takes office.
Take a look at his future mandates (garnered from his website [http://www.christiefornj.com/about/88-ways-chris-christie-will-fix-nj.html]:
88 WAYS CHRIS CHRISTIE WILL FIX NEW JERSEY
(I've just listed the ones that I find interesting)
MAKING EVERY DOLLAR COUNT
SEVEN:
I will run our state government like a business by having the State Auditor conduct regular performance reviews on all state programs, local governments and school districts to ensure they are performing their intended purpose with respect and care for tax dollars.
TRANSLATION: I'm going to get my hands dirty and strip local and municipal governments and school districts of state funds if I disagree with their ideology or political bias. I will feel free to nose in on our schools (subsidized in large part by our property taxes and make bizarre little changes to the status quo.
EIGHT:
I will recoup wasted taxpayer dollars by appointing a Special Prosecutor to conduct a thorough audit of government programs and will seek reimbursement of misspent funds until our State Auditor is in place.
TRANSLATION:
Do you like your state job? Not for long, I am going to appoint an attorney to take a fine-toothed comb to all your programs and expenses and require all back-up on employee purchases be signed in quadruplicate by at least two administrators on permanent leave. MWAHAHAHAHAH!
TEN:
I will eliminate wasteful and inappropriate state purchases by appointing a “Taxpayer Advocate” in the Division of Purchase and Property to audit each and every government purchase order until our State Auditor is in place. No more $600 cellphones for state employees.
TRANSLATION: No new purchases that advocate anything the Religious Right may disagree with, no new school playgrounds or parks if they are in urban areas (he's a Morris County Republican, what do you think will happen?) etc. Does your state agency have a budget that it routinely rubberstamps? Yeah, that's done. Prepare to be inundated with bizarre questions from clueless, overpaid auditing drones who examine your procurement database with a fine-toothed comb but miss the big picture. Social services and teachers will suffer disproportionately, those in the urban areas (Newark, Camden, Trenton, Jersey City) where the "poor people" hang out, even more so.
ELEVEN:
I will require a “sunset” provision of four years on any new or expanded program and veto spending for any new (or expanded) program that doesn’t include such a provision. I’ll measure the performance of each and every government program. If a program isn’t serving taxpayers efficiently and effectively, I’ll eliminate it.
TRANSLATION: Say "goodbye" to S-Chip also known as NJ Family Care . Did you lose your job and your kids don't have healthcare? Sucks to be you!
THIRTEEN:
I will save taxpayer dollars and end political cronyism by eliminating political patronage jobs (at least the ones held by members of the Democratic party).
TRANSLATION: If you or your office is even semi-liberal or if you we appointed by Corzine, prepare for a bloodbath. Also prepare to have senior management replaced with more ideologically-friendly individuals, i.e. lots of Conservative Republicans. See George W. Bush circa 2001.
FOURTEEN:
I will lower overtime costs by reducing the number of state holidays and eliminating those not recognized as federal holidays.
TRANSLATION: Say goodbye to Lincoln's Birthday (I think Corzine actually swapped this one out with the day after Thanksgiving), Good Friday (What Would Jesus Say?), Election Day and the Day After Thanksgiving.
Current New Jersey State Holidays = 13, New and improved post-Christie New Jersey State Holidays = 10.
FIFTEEN:
I will increase efficiency and lower costs by changing to a single, unitary approach to state public employee compensation, benefits, and work rules – ending the separate statutes governing health benefits, antiquated civil service rules, and the collective bargaining agreements.
TRANSLATION:
Remember all the healthcare, pension and vacation options you used to have? Yeah, those days are GONE! Prepare for (gulp!) doctor co-pays and (gulp!) deductions from your paycheck for mandatory healthcare contributions!
SIXTEEN:
I will fight pension abuse, starting with the removal of more than 300 political appointees who are a part of the pension system by virtue of being paid to attend monthly meetings of boards and commissions of which they are members.
TRANSLATION: Prepare for the coming Democrat bloodbath.
SEVENTEEN:
I will increase fairness and reduce costs by bringing the compensation and benefits for the New Jersey Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) back in line with employees who have defined contribution plans (such as federal government employees) by closing defined benefit plan for new state employees, and replacing them with defined contribution plans. Only state workers who would have been enrolled in PERS will be placed in the existing defined contribution plan and this change would not apply to first responders, police or firemen, teachers, local government PERS or members of other retirement systems.
TRANSLATION: See Number Fifteen. Note that if I win the election I will forget the section regarding it's non-application to police, firemen, teachers, etc.
EIGHTEEN:
I will eliminate pension and health benefits for all part-time employees and political appointees. Only full-time employees should qualify for a public pension.
TRANSLATION: If you are a money-saving part-timer who is saving your state or municipality a full-timer's salary by being a part-timer, it's time to look for employment elsewhere as you have no more access to state benefits. Single parent? Sucks for you. If you have part-timers in your office, get ready to do their job as more and more leave in order to find jobs with benefits. Will these jobs be replaced? I don't know, how soon is it before Christie or your municipality/school district enacts a hiring freeze?
NINETEEN:
I will require all new state hires and state employee retirees to contribute to their health insurance costs.
TRANSLATION: Sorry, I'm totally in favor of this one although it counts as a negative to new hires and retirees. It certainly makes you wish you meandered to the polls and VOTED FOR CORZINE! (ahem...)
TWENTY:
I will implement aggressive economic growth strategies via public-private partnerships like the “New Jersey Partnership for Action.” The Partnership for Action will save taxpayer dollars by consolidating Trenton’s many inefficient and ineffective fragmented economic development activities into one single agency.
TRANSLATION: Prepare to be pink-slipped if you are a Democrat or were appointed by Corzine.
TWENTY ONE:
I will further consolidate and streamline government by eliminating the position of “Chief of the Office of Economic Growth.”
TRANSLATION: Because THAT LOSER happens to be a Democrat and as we all know, New Jersey certainly doesn't need any of that stinkin' Economic Growth right now.
FIXING GOVERNMENT
TWENTY FIVE:
I will reform New Jersey’s boards and commissions by only appointing those without conflicts of interest, refusing to create boards and commissions where the memberships create new conflicts of interest, and implementing statutory changes (as needed) to remove any current agency members with conflicts of interest.
TRANSLATION: All Democrats have conflicts of interest because they are not Republican and I am.
TWENTY SIX:
I will hold government officials accountable for their actions by requiring any elected or appointed official convicted of a crime connected to their official position to forfeit their pension benefits.
TRANSLATION: If you are a Democrat, try not to get a parking ticket.
TWENTY SEVEN:
I will strengthen our weak “pay to play” laws by eliminating special interest labor union loopholes to ensure labor unions are treated just like any other entities that have contracts with government.
TRANSLATION: Time to grind the unions into dust for not supporting me, this will make the RNCC sit up and take notice come 2012!
THIRTY:
I will increase honesty and openness in government by requiring fully searchable and transparent websites for all state and local governments and school districts, providing links to property records and taxes, government payrolls, expenditures, school performance report cards, and other information. All information would be accessible to the public no later than 45 days following the close of each fiscal year.
TRANSLATION:
We have this already. However, the tight 45 day reporting timeframe will be a nightmare for all smaller school districts and municipalities without a dedicated administrator or accountant.
THIRTY TWO:
I will allow voters the opportunity to access candidates’ Personal Financial Disclosure Statements online. Currently, these Statements can only be accessed in person, in Trenton. I’ve already proactively posted my Statement on this website to allow you the opportunity to view my financial background.
TRANSLATION:
If you are a candidate running for New Jersey office, prepare to be Identity Thefted.
CUTTING TAXES
THIRTY THREE:
I will cut New Jersey’s income taxes across the board for all taxpayers. Our tax rates are oppressive and are driving residents out of state. No more.
TRANSLATION: I will pacify my Republican overlords and donors but I still have absolutely no clue where the missing revenue will be coming from.
THIRTY EIGHT:
I will help New Jersey’s small businesses lower health insurance costs by allowing the purchase of health insurance policies from out-of-state insurance companies that offer better rates or better coverage. More competition and more consumer choice will lower costs.
TRANSLATION: Out-of-State Insurance Companies are not legally mandated to obey New Jersey State health insurance regulations regarding the provision of mammograms, lab tests, pre-natal care, etc. Hospitals and Doctors fearing non-coverage of treatment will refuse to accept these out-of-state plans leading to mass consumer confusion when a "low-cost" plan from Texas covers nothing about a hospital stay except a $200.00 per diem cost of lodging. (These plans really do exist and they are scary!) Prepare to be bamboozled with plans that promise the world and deliver nothing when it comes time to pay out.
THIRTY NINE:
I will provide relief from our state’s overbearing regulations – restoring balance and fairness – by creating a permanent “Red Tape Review Group.” The “Red Tape Review Group” will bring both elected branches of government together in a bi-partisan fashion to perform a top-to-bottom overhaul of New Jersey’s Administrative Code.
TRANSLATION: "Red Tape Review Group" = Republican Revenge Red Tape Review Group. I also don't think that Christie has the authority to do this without buy-in from the Assembly.
FOURTY NINE
I will make our state more affordable for consumers and businesses by making it more difficult to file class action lawsuits for frivolous reasons.
TRANSLATION: I don't give a fuck about plaintiff's attorneys in New Jersey who file class-action lawsuits or care to quantify state tax revenue which is garnered from such large class-action legal settlements. Where we will get the tax dollars to offset this policy is a mystery to me.
EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN
FIFTY TWO:
I will devote more resources to assist parents and educators attempting to start new charter schools by utilizing my revamped Department of Education (DOE) to encourage and nurture those seeking to start a charter school.
TRANSLATION: Teachers, see your funding go bye-bye as your school enrollment drops due to student enrollment in shady religious-based charter schools managed by individuals with dubious on-line university credentials.
FIFTY THREE:
I will appoint a Commissioner of the Department of Education whose priority will be approving high-quality charter school applications, unlike the Corzine Administration, who in 2008 approved only one of twenty-two applications.
TRANSLATION: Wow! Corzine approved one!?! Teachers, see your funding go bye-bye as your school enrollment drops due to student enrollment in shady religious-based charter schools managed by individuals with dubious on-line university credentials.
FIFTY FOUR:
I will ensure that the application of the school funding law treats charter schools fairly, and that state aid follows the child to the charter school, as the law intended.
TRANSLATION: Teachers, see your funding go bye-bye as your school enrollment drops due to student enrollment in shady religious-based charter schools managed by individuals with dubious on-line university credentials.
SIXTY EIGHT:
I will help more New Jerseyans afford health insurance by permitting insurance companies to offer “mandate-free” policies. These policies might better fit the needs of some consumers who may not need extravagant benefits, such as young or single consumers.
TRANSLATION: Out-of-State Insurance Companies are not legally mandated to obey New Jersey State health insurance regulations regarding the provision of mammograms, lab tests, pre-natal care, etc. Hospitals and Doctors fearing non-coverage of treatment will refuse to accept these out-of-state plans leading to mass consumer confusion when a "low-cost" plan from Texas covers nothing about a hospital stay except a $200.00 per diem cost of lodging. (These plans really do exist and they are scary!) Prepare to be bamboozled with plans that promise the world and deliver nothing when it comes time to pay out. The average insurance consumer will have no legal or administrative recourse when faced with denial for healthcare by an out-of-state insurance company.
SIXTY NINE:
I will reduce the cost of health insurance for small businesses by allowing national trade associations and membership organizations that have health plans to market to their New Jersey members.
TRANSLATION: Out-of-State Insurance Companies are not legally mandated to obey New Jersey State health insurance regulations regarding the provision of mammograms, lab tests, pre-natal care, etc. Hospitals and Doctors fearing non-coverage of treatment will refuse to accept these out-of-state plans leading to mass consumer confusion when a "low-cost" plan from Texas covers nothing about a hospital stay except a $200.00 per diem cost of lodging. (These plans really do exist and they are scary!) Prepare to be bamboozled with plans that promise the world and deliver nothing when it comes time to pay out. The average insurance consumer will have no legal or administrative recourse when faced with denial for healthcare by an out-of-state insurance company.
BRINGING BACK OUR CITIES
TRANSLATION: I WILL CRUSH THESE TRADITIONALLY DEMOCRAT STRONGHOLDS. MWAHAHAHAHHA!
SEVENTY:
I will implement my innovative program, CityTrak, to measure progress and enforce accountability in the areas of education, economic development and crime. CityTrak will combine organizational development with data and geographic systems technology. If a program is working, it will stay in place; if a program isn’t working, we’ll get rid of it. With the implementation of CityTrak in our urban communities, failure will no longer be an option.
TRANSLATION: PLUS GOOD, DOUBLE PLUS GOOD, PLUS GOOD, DOUBLE PLUS GOOD. This is a great way for me to manipulate statistics and withhold funds from the urban centers of New Jersey while transferring them to my republican cronies in the suburbs.
SEVENTY ONE:
I will institute the “First Houses” Program to foster growth policies that encourage rapid new population influxes to generate a true re-birth of our cities.
TRANSLATION: My Republican cronies and their bank shareholders will reap the benefits of investing in those Newark, Trenton, Jersey City and Camden foreclosures.
SEVENTY TWO:
I will exempt new residents living within Garden State Growth Zones from New Jersey’s gross income tax to attract people to our urban communities and encourage new market-rate residential housing.
TRANSLATION: If you are in the highest tax bracket in New Jersey and want to avoid paying income taxes, buy an apartment in Jersey City or Elizabeth and list it as your primary residence while keeping your McMansion in Mendham or Alpine (after switching it into your mother's name). How this missing tax revenue is to going to be made up is a mystery to us all...
SEVENTY THREE:
I will keep the most dangerous criminals off of the streets by proposing an amendment to the New Jersey Constitution that will mirror federal bail laws and permit pre-trial preventive detention based on public safety concerns.
TRANSLATION: Say goodbye to habeas corpus. A writ of habeas corpus is a judicial mandate requiring that a prisoner be brought before the court to determine whether the government has the right to continue detaining them. The individual being held or their representative can petition the court for such a writ. According to Article One of the Constitution, the right to a writ of habeas corpus can only be suspended in cases of rebellion or invasion or the public safety. Christie's contention is that pre-trial preventive detention is a public safety concern. What if the police have arrested the wrong person or if a police officer has a grudge against an innocent citizen? I"m not sure if I trust the government of New Jersey enough to justify the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. Who defines "the most dangerous criminals?" - Christie? A prosecutor as yet unnamed? We should trust the judiciary system enough to deny bail when the prosecutors and the judge determine that the individual should be refused bail due to the severity of his/her crimes and flight risk. Anything else would be unconstitutional and in violation of the precepts of our Founding Fathers. Christie is not above the law on this issue.
SEVENTY SIX:
I will create new programs that provide alternatives to gang membership, facilitated by community groups, faith-based groups, and other local institutions.
TRANSLATION: This is how I intend to secretly funnel state funds to my Republican cronies on the religious right.
SEVENTY SEVEN:
I will create gang prevention programs in schools that focus on the dangers and consequences of gang membership, as well as after-school programs.
TRANSLATION: This is how I intend to secretly funnel state funds to my Republican cronies on the religious right.
SEVENTY EIGHT:
I will create and train local neighborhood watch groups to report gang activity.
TRANSLATION: So I can transfer/layoff more police officers from these distressed urban areas and shift the burden onto the (Democratic) ACORN-loving, unpatriotic, socialist, terrorist-sympathizing citizen watch groups.
EIGHTY:
I will create Garden State Growth Zones to streamline and make available all incentives, tax breaks, loans and grants to all municipalities in the program.
TRANSLATION: Membership in the Garden State Growth Zones will require a hefty donation to CHRISTIEPAC2012.
I will admit, Christie was endorsed by the Sierra Club so he can't be a complete waste of chromosomal material. We'll see in four years how this all turns out. On one hand, I realize that New Jersey needs to reign in a succession of political appointees and assorted dead weight. On the other hand, New Jersey has not contributed to it's employee healthcare fund or pension fund adequately since Governor Jim Florio (D). Republican Christine Todd Whitman (R), running on a tax-cutting platform, defeated Florio in the 1993 governor's race. To help pay for her promised tax cuts, Whitman, like her predecessor, turned to the pension fund. In 1994, at her urging, the legislature adopted another pension "reform" act that allowed her to reduce state and local contributions to the plan by nearly $1.5 billion in 1994 and 1995 (source is the prior link from cnn.com). Can Governor-elect Chris Christie fix the pension underfunding and enable New Jersey state workers to retire comfortably? I sure hope so. However, my psychic powers are whispering "PENSION BONDS, PENSION BONDS..."
So as someone who did vote (albeit unenthusiastically) I wondered what sort of ramifications a Christie governorship would entail, I was surprised that the voter turnout wasn't a bit more robust in favor of Corzine by New Jersey State employees. Remember all the whining about furloughs? Well, that's going to look like the "good old days" after Christie takes office.
Take a look at his future mandates (garnered from his website [http://www.christiefornj.com/about/88-ways-chris-christie-will-fix-nj.html]:
88 WAYS CHRIS CHRISTIE WILL FIX NEW JERSEY
(I've just listed the ones that I find interesting)
MAKING EVERY DOLLAR COUNT
SEVEN:
I will run our state government like a business by having the State Auditor conduct regular performance reviews on all state programs, local governments and school districts to ensure they are performing their intended purpose with respect and care for tax dollars.
TRANSLATION: I'm going to get my hands dirty and strip local and municipal governments and school districts of state funds if I disagree with their ideology or political bias. I will feel free to nose in on our schools (subsidized in large part by our property taxes and make bizarre little changes to the status quo.
EIGHT:
I will recoup wasted taxpayer dollars by appointing a Special Prosecutor to conduct a thorough audit of government programs and will seek reimbursement of misspent funds until our State Auditor is in place.
TRANSLATION:
Do you like your state job? Not for long, I am going to appoint an attorney to take a fine-toothed comb to all your programs and expenses and require all back-up on employee purchases be signed in quadruplicate by at least two administrators on permanent leave. MWAHAHAHAHAH!
TEN:
I will eliminate wasteful and inappropriate state purchases by appointing a “Taxpayer Advocate” in the Division of Purchase and Property to audit each and every government purchase order until our State Auditor is in place. No more $600 cellphones for state employees.
TRANSLATION: No new purchases that advocate anything the Religious Right may disagree with, no new school playgrounds or parks if they are in urban areas (he's a Morris County Republican, what do you think will happen?) etc. Does your state agency have a budget that it routinely rubberstamps? Yeah, that's done. Prepare to be inundated with bizarre questions from clueless, overpaid auditing drones who examine your procurement database with a fine-toothed comb but miss the big picture. Social services and teachers will suffer disproportionately, those in the urban areas (Newark, Camden, Trenton, Jersey City) where the "poor people" hang out, even more so.
ELEVEN:
I will require a “sunset” provision of four years on any new or expanded program and veto spending for any new (or expanded) program that doesn’t include such a provision. I’ll measure the performance of each and every government program. If a program isn’t serving taxpayers efficiently and effectively, I’ll eliminate it.
TRANSLATION: Say "goodbye" to S-Chip also known as NJ Family Care . Did you lose your job and your kids don't have healthcare? Sucks to be you!
THIRTEEN:
I will save taxpayer dollars and end political cronyism by eliminating political patronage jobs (at least the ones held by members of the Democratic party).
TRANSLATION: If you or your office is even semi-liberal or if you we appointed by Corzine, prepare for a bloodbath. Also prepare to have senior management replaced with more ideologically-friendly individuals, i.e. lots of Conservative Republicans. See George W. Bush circa 2001.
FOURTEEN:
I will lower overtime costs by reducing the number of state holidays and eliminating those not recognized as federal holidays.
TRANSLATION: Say goodbye to Lincoln's Birthday (I think Corzine actually swapped this one out with the day after Thanksgiving), Good Friday (What Would Jesus Say?), Election Day and the Day After Thanksgiving.
Current New Jersey State Holidays = 13, New and improved post-Christie New Jersey State Holidays = 10.
FIFTEEN:
I will increase efficiency and lower costs by changing to a single, unitary approach to state public employee compensation, benefits, and work rules – ending the separate statutes governing health benefits, antiquated civil service rules, and the collective bargaining agreements.
TRANSLATION:
Remember all the healthcare, pension and vacation options you used to have? Yeah, those days are GONE! Prepare for (gulp!) doctor co-pays and (gulp!) deductions from your paycheck for mandatory healthcare contributions!
SIXTEEN:
I will fight pension abuse, starting with the removal of more than 300 political appointees who are a part of the pension system by virtue of being paid to attend monthly meetings of boards and commissions of which they are members.
TRANSLATION: Prepare for the coming Democrat bloodbath.
SEVENTEEN:
I will increase fairness and reduce costs by bringing the compensation and benefits for the New Jersey Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) back in line with employees who have defined contribution plans (such as federal government employees) by closing defined benefit plan for new state employees, and replacing them with defined contribution plans. Only state workers who would have been enrolled in PERS will be placed in the existing defined contribution plan and this change would not apply to first responders, police or firemen, teachers, local government PERS or members of other retirement systems.
TRANSLATION: See Number Fifteen. Note that if I win the election I will forget the section regarding it's non-application to police, firemen, teachers, etc.
EIGHTEEN:
I will eliminate pension and health benefits for all part-time employees and political appointees. Only full-time employees should qualify for a public pension.
TRANSLATION: If you are a money-saving part-timer who is saving your state or municipality a full-timer's salary by being a part-timer, it's time to look for employment elsewhere as you have no more access to state benefits. Single parent? Sucks for you. If you have part-timers in your office, get ready to do their job as more and more leave in order to find jobs with benefits. Will these jobs be replaced? I don't know, how soon is it before Christie or your municipality/school district enacts a hiring freeze?
NINETEEN:
I will require all new state hires and state employee retirees to contribute to their health insurance costs.
TRANSLATION: Sorry, I'm totally in favor of this one although it counts as a negative to new hires and retirees. It certainly makes you wish you meandered to the polls and VOTED FOR CORZINE! (ahem...)
TWENTY:
I will implement aggressive economic growth strategies via public-private partnerships like the “New Jersey Partnership for Action.” The Partnership for Action will save taxpayer dollars by consolidating Trenton’s many inefficient and ineffective fragmented economic development activities into one single agency.
TRANSLATION: Prepare to be pink-slipped if you are a Democrat or were appointed by Corzine.
TWENTY ONE:
I will further consolidate and streamline government by eliminating the position of “Chief of the Office of Economic Growth.”
TRANSLATION: Because THAT LOSER happens to be a Democrat and as we all know, New Jersey certainly doesn't need any of that stinkin' Economic Growth right now.
FIXING GOVERNMENT
TWENTY FIVE:
I will reform New Jersey’s boards and commissions by only appointing those without conflicts of interest, refusing to create boards and commissions where the memberships create new conflicts of interest, and implementing statutory changes (as needed) to remove any current agency members with conflicts of interest.
TRANSLATION: All Democrats have conflicts of interest because they are not Republican and I am.
TWENTY SIX:
I will hold government officials accountable for their actions by requiring any elected or appointed official convicted of a crime connected to their official position to forfeit their pension benefits.
TRANSLATION: If you are a Democrat, try not to get a parking ticket.
TWENTY SEVEN:
I will strengthen our weak “pay to play” laws by eliminating special interest labor union loopholes to ensure labor unions are treated just like any other entities that have contracts with government.
TRANSLATION: Time to grind the unions into dust for not supporting me, this will make the RNCC sit up and take notice come 2012!
THIRTY:
I will increase honesty and openness in government by requiring fully searchable and transparent websites for all state and local governments and school districts, providing links to property records and taxes, government payrolls, expenditures, school performance report cards, and other information. All information would be accessible to the public no later than 45 days following the close of each fiscal year.
TRANSLATION:
We have this already. However, the tight 45 day reporting timeframe will be a nightmare for all smaller school districts and municipalities without a dedicated administrator or accountant.
THIRTY TWO:
I will allow voters the opportunity to access candidates’ Personal Financial Disclosure Statements online. Currently, these Statements can only be accessed in person, in Trenton. I’ve already proactively posted my Statement on this website to allow you the opportunity to view my financial background.
TRANSLATION:
If you are a candidate running for New Jersey office, prepare to be Identity Thefted.
CUTTING TAXES
THIRTY THREE:
I will cut New Jersey’s income taxes across the board for all taxpayers. Our tax rates are oppressive and are driving residents out of state. No more.
TRANSLATION: I will pacify my Republican overlords and donors but I still have absolutely no clue where the missing revenue will be coming from.
THIRTY EIGHT:
I will help New Jersey’s small businesses lower health insurance costs by allowing the purchase of health insurance policies from out-of-state insurance companies that offer better rates or better coverage. More competition and more consumer choice will lower costs.
TRANSLATION: Out-of-State Insurance Companies are not legally mandated to obey New Jersey State health insurance regulations regarding the provision of mammograms, lab tests, pre-natal care, etc. Hospitals and Doctors fearing non-coverage of treatment will refuse to accept these out-of-state plans leading to mass consumer confusion when a "low-cost" plan from Texas covers nothing about a hospital stay except a $200.00 per diem cost of lodging. (These plans really do exist and they are scary!) Prepare to be bamboozled with plans that promise the world and deliver nothing when it comes time to pay out.
THIRTY NINE:
I will provide relief from our state’s overbearing regulations – restoring balance and fairness – by creating a permanent “Red Tape Review Group.” The “Red Tape Review Group” will bring both elected branches of government together in a bi-partisan fashion to perform a top-to-bottom overhaul of New Jersey’s Administrative Code.
TRANSLATION: "Red Tape Review Group" = Republican Revenge Red Tape Review Group. I also don't think that Christie has the authority to do this without buy-in from the Assembly.
FOURTY NINE
I will make our state more affordable for consumers and businesses by making it more difficult to file class action lawsuits for frivolous reasons.
TRANSLATION: I don't give a fuck about plaintiff's attorneys in New Jersey who file class-action lawsuits or care to quantify state tax revenue which is garnered from such large class-action legal settlements. Where we will get the tax dollars to offset this policy is a mystery to me.
EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN
FIFTY TWO:
I will devote more resources to assist parents and educators attempting to start new charter schools by utilizing my revamped Department of Education (DOE) to encourage and nurture those seeking to start a charter school.
TRANSLATION: Teachers, see your funding go bye-bye as your school enrollment drops due to student enrollment in shady religious-based charter schools managed by individuals with dubious on-line university credentials.
FIFTY THREE:
I will appoint a Commissioner of the Department of Education whose priority will be approving high-quality charter school applications, unlike the Corzine Administration, who in 2008 approved only one of twenty-two applications.
TRANSLATION: Wow! Corzine approved one!?! Teachers, see your funding go bye-bye as your school enrollment drops due to student enrollment in shady religious-based charter schools managed by individuals with dubious on-line university credentials.
FIFTY FOUR:
I will ensure that the application of the school funding law treats charter schools fairly, and that state aid follows the child to the charter school, as the law intended.
TRANSLATION: Teachers, see your funding go bye-bye as your school enrollment drops due to student enrollment in shady religious-based charter schools managed by individuals with dubious on-line university credentials.
SIXTY EIGHT:
I will help more New Jerseyans afford health insurance by permitting insurance companies to offer “mandate-free” policies. These policies might better fit the needs of some consumers who may not need extravagant benefits, such as young or single consumers.
TRANSLATION: Out-of-State Insurance Companies are not legally mandated to obey New Jersey State health insurance regulations regarding the provision of mammograms, lab tests, pre-natal care, etc. Hospitals and Doctors fearing non-coverage of treatment will refuse to accept these out-of-state plans leading to mass consumer confusion when a "low-cost" plan from Texas covers nothing about a hospital stay except a $200.00 per diem cost of lodging. (These plans really do exist and they are scary!) Prepare to be bamboozled with plans that promise the world and deliver nothing when it comes time to pay out. The average insurance consumer will have no legal or administrative recourse when faced with denial for healthcare by an out-of-state insurance company.
SIXTY NINE:
I will reduce the cost of health insurance for small businesses by allowing national trade associations and membership organizations that have health plans to market to their New Jersey members.
TRANSLATION: Out-of-State Insurance Companies are not legally mandated to obey New Jersey State health insurance regulations regarding the provision of mammograms, lab tests, pre-natal care, etc. Hospitals and Doctors fearing non-coverage of treatment will refuse to accept these out-of-state plans leading to mass consumer confusion when a "low-cost" plan from Texas covers nothing about a hospital stay except a $200.00 per diem cost of lodging. (These plans really do exist and they are scary!) Prepare to be bamboozled with plans that promise the world and deliver nothing when it comes time to pay out. The average insurance consumer will have no legal or administrative recourse when faced with denial for healthcare by an out-of-state insurance company.
BRINGING BACK OUR CITIES
TRANSLATION: I WILL CRUSH THESE TRADITIONALLY DEMOCRAT STRONGHOLDS. MWAHAHAHAHHA!
SEVENTY:
I will implement my innovative program, CityTrak, to measure progress and enforce accountability in the areas of education, economic development and crime. CityTrak will combine organizational development with data and geographic systems technology. If a program is working, it will stay in place; if a program isn’t working, we’ll get rid of it. With the implementation of CityTrak in our urban communities, failure will no longer be an option.
TRANSLATION: PLUS GOOD, DOUBLE PLUS GOOD, PLUS GOOD, DOUBLE PLUS GOOD. This is a great way for me to manipulate statistics and withhold funds from the urban centers of New Jersey while transferring them to my republican cronies in the suburbs.
SEVENTY ONE:
I will institute the “First Houses” Program to foster growth policies that encourage rapid new population influxes to generate a true re-birth of our cities.
TRANSLATION: My Republican cronies and their bank shareholders will reap the benefits of investing in those Newark, Trenton, Jersey City and Camden foreclosures.
SEVENTY TWO:
I will exempt new residents living within Garden State Growth Zones from New Jersey’s gross income tax to attract people to our urban communities and encourage new market-rate residential housing.
TRANSLATION: If you are in the highest tax bracket in New Jersey and want to avoid paying income taxes, buy an apartment in Jersey City or Elizabeth and list it as your primary residence while keeping your McMansion in Mendham or Alpine (after switching it into your mother's name). How this missing tax revenue is to going to be made up is a mystery to us all...
SEVENTY THREE:
I will keep the most dangerous criminals off of the streets by proposing an amendment to the New Jersey Constitution that will mirror federal bail laws and permit pre-trial preventive detention based on public safety concerns.
TRANSLATION: Say goodbye to habeas corpus. A writ of habeas corpus is a judicial mandate requiring that a prisoner be brought before the court to determine whether the government has the right to continue detaining them. The individual being held or their representative can petition the court for such a writ. According to Article One of the Constitution, the right to a writ of habeas corpus can only be suspended in cases of rebellion or invasion or the public safety. Christie's contention is that pre-trial preventive detention is a public safety concern. What if the police have arrested the wrong person or if a police officer has a grudge against an innocent citizen? I"m not sure if I trust the government of New Jersey enough to justify the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. Who defines "the most dangerous criminals?" - Christie? A prosecutor as yet unnamed? We should trust the judiciary system enough to deny bail when the prosecutors and the judge determine that the individual should be refused bail due to the severity of his/her crimes and flight risk. Anything else would be unconstitutional and in violation of the precepts of our Founding Fathers. Christie is not above the law on this issue.
SEVENTY SIX:
I will create new programs that provide alternatives to gang membership, facilitated by community groups, faith-based groups, and other local institutions.
TRANSLATION: This is how I intend to secretly funnel state funds to my Republican cronies on the religious right.
SEVENTY SEVEN:
I will create gang prevention programs in schools that focus on the dangers and consequences of gang membership, as well as after-school programs.
TRANSLATION: This is how I intend to secretly funnel state funds to my Republican cronies on the religious right.
SEVENTY EIGHT:
I will create and train local neighborhood watch groups to report gang activity.
TRANSLATION: So I can transfer/layoff more police officers from these distressed urban areas and shift the burden onto the (Democratic) ACORN-loving, unpatriotic, socialist, terrorist-sympathizing citizen watch groups.
EIGHTY:
I will create Garden State Growth Zones to streamline and make available all incentives, tax breaks, loans and grants to all municipalities in the program.
TRANSLATION: Membership in the Garden State Growth Zones will require a hefty donation to CHRISTIEPAC2012.
I will admit, Christie was endorsed by the Sierra Club so he can't be a complete waste of chromosomal material. We'll see in four years how this all turns out. On one hand, I realize that New Jersey needs to reign in a succession of political appointees and assorted dead weight. On the other hand, New Jersey has not contributed to it's employee healthcare fund or pension fund adequately since Governor Jim Florio (D). Republican Christine Todd Whitman (R), running on a tax-cutting platform, defeated Florio in the 1993 governor's race. To help pay for her promised tax cuts, Whitman, like her predecessor, turned to the pension fund. In 1994, at her urging, the legislature adopted another pension "reform" act that allowed her to reduce state and local contributions to the plan by nearly $1.5 billion in 1994 and 1995 (source is the prior link from cnn.com). Can Governor-elect Chris Christie fix the pension underfunding and enable New Jersey state workers to retire comfortably? I sure hope so. However, my psychic powers are whispering "PENSION BONDS, PENSION BONDS..."
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