Tom Kean: Democrats' Budget Will Make New Jersey Less Affordable

Republican Senate Leader Tom Kean made this statement after reviewing details of the budget compromise proposed by Governor Corzine and the Democrats' legislative leaders:

"At a time when every New Jerseyan is under assault from rising taxes and soaring prices for food and fuel, this budget does nothing to make our state more affordable. Instead, it is guaranteed to add to the already high cost of living.

"The governor says this budget doesn't raise taxes or fees. In reality, this plan sets the stage for hundreds of millions of dollars in higher taxes, tolls and fees.

"Cuts in municipal aid will lead to immediate property tax increases in many towns because the governor's plan will do nothing to help these communities reduce their expenses before budget cuts take effect. Local government leaders will have no choice but to raise taxes and eliminate or scale back vital services.

"Rebates will shrink or disappear for people who were promised property tax relief when the Democrats were pushing to boost the income and sales taxes. It should be no surprise to anyone who has followed state government over the last seven years that the rebates are gone for many, but every tax increase remains.

"The governor said a 10-year-old "transitional" utility tax finally would be allowed to expire this year. Instead the tax will remain, even as some homeowners' electric bills soar 17%.

"And perhaps the biggest tax increases of the year will result if Governor Corzine is allowed to go through with his plan to raise gas taxes or tolls to pay for transportation projects, as he has said he will do later this year. Nothing will make New Jersey more unaffordable than boosting commuting costs when gasoline and diesel prices already are at record highs.

"Republicans crafted a budget proposal that doesn't raise taxes or tolls, restores aid needed to ease the property tax burden and fully funds the state's transportation needs for years with no new gas taxes or tolls. The governor rejected this common-sense plan out of hand. My Republican colleagues and I in the New Jersey Senate urge him to reconsider. We are ready to discuss our proposals for making New Jersey more affordable at any time."

See Senatenj.com or Njassemblyrepublicans.com for more details of the Common Sense Plan for an Affordable New Jersey.