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NJ - Far From a "Tax and Spend" Liberal
James Coan
Issue date: 1/8/08 Section: Opinion
If ever an event could dispel the myth of "tax-and-spend" liberals, New Jersey Governor Corzine's speech Tuesday announcing sharp budget cuts was it. Faced with a large budget deficit, Corzine, a Democrat, proposed to cut the state workforce by 3,000, eliminate three departments, and reduce spending for colleges and hospitals. The budget proposed actual shrinks in nominal terms. When taking inflation into account, his proposal will cut 4.4% from the budget. New Jersey's budget problem is particularly acute due to rising costs for health care and pensions, and a previous tendency to shore up budget shortfall with one-year stop-gap measures.
Democrats control both houses of the legislature, and the Senate president has expressed concern that some of the cuts may adversely affect lower- and middle-income residents. For instance, Corzine proposes that hospitals will receive 14% less money this year than last. However, the leader of the Senate and the House both believe that spending cuts are necessary. They both realize that Corzine's plan to significantly increase tolls incensed many residents, and additional revenue cannot be the only way to close the deficit.
Democrats control both houses of the legislature, and the Senate president has expressed concern that some of the cuts may adversely affect lower- and middle-income residents. For instance, Corzine proposes that hospitals will receive 14% less money this year than last. However, the leader of the Senate and the House both believe that spending cuts are necessary. They both realize that Corzine's plan to significantly increase tolls incensed many residents, and additional revenue cannot be the only way to close the deficit.
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