Spring Break
All is not lost
Why Jon Corzine can still win in November
Ashley Mitchell '11
Issue date: 9/30/09 Section: Opinion
It has been a dismal summer for New Jersey governor Jon Corzine. Despite his campaign team's aggressive efforts to promote Corzine's accomplishments and highlight his Republican opponent Chris Christie's shortcomings and inexperience, the governor's poll numbers and approval rating have not budged since May. According to a Research 2000 poll conducted between August 3 and August 5, Governor Corzine is trailing Christie, 48% to 40%. A poll conducted at the end of May found Christie leading 46% to 39%. Corzine's approval rating has also barely changed: in August, 35% of voters approved of the governor's performance, while 56% disapproved; in May, 36% approved while 55% disapproved.
Considering the term Governor Corzine has had, these abysmal numbers seem unwarranted. After all, he has accomplished much during his term: he is the first New Jersey governor to decrease the size of state government in six decades, and this year's budget is $1.8 billion smaller than the one passed in 2006, creating a more streamlined and efficient state government. Additionally, he has reformed the property tax system by enacting a 4% cap on local levies, providing some much needed relief to New Jersey homeowners. His investments in green energy initiatives and transportation projects will create thousands of new jobs. Governor Corzine has also worked to increase the quality of health care for both the young and the elderly: New Jersey is now the only state besides Massachusetts to mandate universal health care coverage for all children. In addition, Governor Corzine has increased prescription drug assistance to the elderly. New Jersey's public school systems have been revamped under the Corzine administration: he created a new school funding formula to distribute financial support more evenly across the state. Additionally, thanks to Corzine's emphasis on early childhood education, New Jersey now has one of the highest pre-school enrollment rates in the country. In short, Governor Corzine has made a lot of progress during his four years in office. Yet his approval ratings indicate that voters are unsatisfied with his job performance.
Considering the term Governor Corzine has had, these abysmal numbers seem unwarranted. After all, he has accomplished much during his term: he is the first New Jersey governor to decrease the size of state government in six decades, and this year's budget is $1.8 billion smaller than the one passed in 2006, creating a more streamlined and efficient state government. Additionally, he has reformed the property tax system by enacting a 4% cap on local levies, providing some much needed relief to New Jersey homeowners. His investments in green energy initiatives and transportation projects will create thousands of new jobs. Governor Corzine has also worked to increase the quality of health care for both the young and the elderly: New Jersey is now the only state besides Massachusetts to mandate universal health care coverage for all children. In addition, Governor Corzine has increased prescription drug assistance to the elderly. New Jersey's public school systems have been revamped under the Corzine administration: he created a new school funding formula to distribute financial support more evenly across the state. Additionally, thanks to Corzine's emphasis on early childhood education, New Jersey now has one of the highest pre-school enrollment rates in the country. In short, Governor Corzine has made a lot of progress during his four years in office. Yet his approval ratings indicate that voters are unsatisfied with his job performance.
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