Stop NJ Tax Hikes

CORZINE'S HOSPITAL BED TAX COULD FORCE HOSPITALS IN THE RED

2006-05-04T10:57:00.000-04:00

Corzine's proposed $1,424 monthly tax on each of New Jersey's 25,000 hospital beds will at best put over 40% of New Jersey's hospitals in the red and at worst cause many facilities to shutdown. Geez Governor, who was the genius that came up with that dumb idea?

NEW POLL SHOWS CORZINE DOWN

2006-05-03T14:41:00.000-04:00

It's been more than a month since Governor Corzine introduced his budget plan to the citizens of New Jersey and according to a new poll they don't like it. The poll taken between April 18-24 by Quinnipiac University shows by a 60 percent to 33 percent margin that voters say the first term governor should drop his proposed $2 billion tax plan. Clay Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute said, "As soon as Governor Corzine proposed a hike in the state sales tax, his negatives skyrocketed (NJ.com, 4/27/06)." Tom Wilson, chairman of the GOP State Committee said, "Jon Corzine ran on a platform of lower property taxes, stronger ethics and no state tax increases. He's done virtually nothing to keep that promise and squandered whatever political capital he had coming out of the election (NJ.com, 4/27/06)." Amen! It goes to show you that if the people get real information about the issues they will always make the right decision.

NEW ANTI-TOBACCO TAX T-SHIRT HITS THE MARK

2006-04-27T14:35:00.000-04:00

The website NJ Loves Smokers Money is selling t-shirts to express their outrage over Governor Corzine's proposed cigarette tax increase. We like the one on the right.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

2006-04-24T15:28:00.000-04:00

An anonymous blogger on Enlighten-New Jersey is the winner of this week's Quote of the Week: "I have been studying Jon Corzines body language very carefully at these town hall meetings and it has become easy to tell when he is lying about an issue. It's when his lips are moving!"

GUESS WHO'S ADDICTED TO TOBACCO...NEW JERSEY STATE GOVERNMENT

2006-04-11T16:59:00.000-04:00

CORZINE AND DEMS NOT ON SAME PAGE...REPUBLICANS UNITE UNDER PETITION BANNER

2006-04-10T09:06:00.000-04:00

Governor Corzine's budget proposal is not winning him many friends in Trenton or in his own party. The majority party's Assemblymen don't like his budget proposal which includes tax increases on cigarettes, hospitals, alcohol, water, cars and nearly everything else you buy. "I don't see any enthusiasm for this budget on either side of the aisle," said State Senator Wayne Bryant (D, Camden), powerful chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. Corzine should prepare to make some "serious adjustments" before the budget's approval in June, he said (PA Inquirer, 4/10/06)." Some Democrats even complain that Corzine office has been unwilling to reach out and sell them on his proposal. "There's been a real lack of communication," said State Senator Stephen Sweeney (D, Gloucester), a member of the budget committee (PA Inquirer, 4/10/06). On the other side of the aisle, Republicans have united in opposition to Corzine's burdensome budget proposal by launching an online web petition to rally support against the tax hikes. The Republican Assemblymen's web site can be found at www.njassemblyrepublicans.com. Looks like the perfect storm is brewing in Trenton. The DEMS oppose Corzine's budget because they're not feeling the love and the Republicans are uniting against it because that's what they should do. Let's hope the storm continues to build!

LTE OF THE WEEK

2006-04-05T23:31:00.000-04:00

Terry Teitelman of Winslow is the winner of this week's "LTE of the Week." Congratulations Terry and here's your LTE as it appeared on NJ.com: "By now, I'm sure that readers have heard about the governor's proposed budget and have read in their morning newspaper that the future of any property-tax reform is all but dead. I believe that instead of trying to reform the state's property-tax laws, we should start a grassroots movement to recall Gov. Corzine and force the state Legislature to hold a special election to replace him. A recall is legal in New Jersey; the only requirement is that recall petitions are to be signed by at least 25 percent of all registered voters in the state and that it be submitted within a 320-day time limit. The recall action would be predicated upon the fact that Corzine deliberately lied to the people while campaigning and had no intention of doing most of what he promised. The people were misled by his charm, financial background and phony sincerity. A recall action would soon gain momentum and become a viable legal action. It would have the added benefit of telling our lawmakers in Trenton and in the counties and municipalities that if they do not work in the public's best interest to correct the tax burden that faces them, then they, too, will soon be out of a job. We need not wait for a general election to remove people from office. Desperate times call for desperate measures. These are desperate times and this is the desperate measure that is needed." Well said Terry!

POLL FINDS MORE JERSEY VOTERS VIEW CORZINE PLANS NEGATIVELY

2006-04-05T14:01:00.000-04:00

Joe Donohue, writing for the Newark Star-Ledger, wrote a piece today that demonstrates what we've been saying for two weeks: New Jersey voters are not going to like Corzine's budget proposal and tax hikes. Here's the story: "Taxes aren't the only thing Gov. Jon Corzine increased in his budget proposal. He managed to raise the ire of the voter, too. While sympathetic to the financial mess Corzine inherited, registered voters aren't exactly thrilled about his plan to raise taxes by $1.9 billion. In a Rutgers-Eagleton poll released yesterday, only 5 percent of those surveyed blame him for the state's budget predicament, but just 43 percent now think he is doing a good job. "His budget is tough medicine, no question about it," said An thony Coley, Corzine's spokesman. "But it is also responsible and honest, and ultimately that's what the people of New Jersey expect." In the same poll, 44 percent of the public thinks Corzine's spending plan relies too much on tax increases, versus 36 percent who think he strikes the right balance. Fifty percent consider the budget unfair, versus 33 percent who view it as fair. In another survey, Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind found that 61 percent say raising the state sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent is a bad idea. The survey found that just 42 percent have a favorable opinion of the governor, down from a previous poll finding of 50 percent before his March 21 budget address. Even more disturbing for the governor, voters who now have a "very unfavorable" view of Corzine nearly doubled to 21 percent during the past month. "A month ago, people were waiting to see what the governor would do. Now they've seen some of it and their initial reaction is negative," said Peter Woolley, the Fairleigh Dickinson poll director. Coley said Corzine takes the long view on the budget. "This is not a sprint, it's a marathon," he said. "At the end of the day, the governor is motivated by one factor: what's best for the people of New Jersey." Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D- Union), chairman of the Democratic State Committee, said voter backlash could have been worse, and he thinks Corzine should "stay the course." "Nobody likes bad news. Sometimes we take it out on the messenger," he said. However, Tom Wilson, chairman of the Republican State Committee, said the polls show Corzine "is in the minority in New Jersey. He's one of the few people in the state who thinks that raising taxes even more is the right approach." Whether voter backlash will be enough to influence this year's U.S. Senate race remains uncertain. The Rutgers-Eagleton poll found that Sen. Robert Menendez (D- N.J.) leads state Sen. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Union) by a margin of 40 percent to 35 percent. The other 25 percent are either undecided or have no opinion. Kean is getting some benefit from the proposal to raise taxes. Among those who consider it un fair, he is leading 40 percent to 33 percent. "Candidate Kean's strategy of tying Menendez to Corzine and Corzine's budget could pay off," said Tim Vercellotti, assistant poll director. Poll director Murray Edelman added, however, that it is "still very early. The knowledge of the candidates is not very high right now, and there's obviously a lot of misinformation." For example, he said 12 percent of the voters believe Kean is or has been governor, apparently confusing him with his father, who served as governor between 1982 and 1990. Three percent even think Menendez is governor. Eleven percent also said they thought Kean served on the 9/11 commission, which his father chaired. Cryan said Democrats believe Menendez will gain a "double- digit" lead once they make it clear that Kean is not his father. They also intend to tie him tightly to President Bush at a time when the president's approval rating is at a record low in the state -- 31 percent, according to yesterday's Rutgers-Eagleton poll. But Jill Hazelbacher, a Kean spokeswoman, said it is Menendez who will be on the defensive: "Me nendez is going to have to comment as to whether he opposes Corzine's tax hikes. Clearly New Jerseyans oppose them." The Eagleton poll was taken from March 26 through 30 and involved 800 adults, including 676 registered voters. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Fairleigh Dickinson's survey of 685 registered voters was conducted from March 27 through April 2. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points."

PROMISES MADE. PROMISES FORGOTTEN. PROMISES CORZINE NEEDS TO REMEMBER AND KEEP.

2006-04-03T11:14:00.000-04:00

New Jersey's hardworking taxpayers have now had two weeks to recover from the sticker shock of Gov. Jon Corzine's budget announcement. Now, in the weeks to come, we can all expect to be hit with all the reasons why the citizens of New Jersey should have their taxes raised by more than $1.5 billion. Since Stop NJ Tax Hikes is an unfiltered and honest source of information we ask you to remember one thing during the steamy debate that is about to ensue. Don't forget about Corzine's campaign promises or last year: "I will cut waste, incentivize efficiencies and reform the state's budget process. I will move us from the failed policies of tax, borrow and spend to a new paradigm of invest, grow and prosper." "We need to make New Jersey not just the wealthiest state in America, but a far more affordable place." Help remind Corzine of the promises he made last year on the campaign trail. Tell him the citizens of the state have not forgotten and neither should he!

DELAWARE BRIDGE PLOY NO LAUGHING MATTER...FOR NJ

2006-03-30T11:56:00.000-05:00

This week a news release went out with the headline: "Delaware Proposes New Bridge to Accommodate New Jersey Smokers." The release went on to say that Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner would construct a new span parallel to the Delaware Memorial Bridge due deal with the influx of New Jersey smokers who are predicted to leave that state due to Gov. Corzine's plan to substantially raise New Jersey's already second in the nation cigarette tax. Of course, the release turned out to be a phony, orchestrated by a lobbyist for Philip Morris. But this is no laughing matter. The fact is New Jersey stands to lose a lot if the Corzine tobacco tax increase of 35 cent/pack is passed. Just look at these figures from the last tobacco tax increase: In July of 2002 NJ increased its cigarette tax by 70 cents/pack(from 80 cents to $1.50). In response, New Jersey's cigarette sales volume (packs) plummeted by nearly 18% during FY 2003. During the same year, Delaware's tax-paid volume went up a sizzling 29%! The reason why New Jersey cigarette sales are so sensitive to tax increases is the tremendous opportunity for cross border sales. At $2.75/pack, NJ consumers could save handsomely in Delaware where the tax is only 55 cents/pack and there is no sales tax. NJ consumers could save close to $25.40 per carton! The bottom line is Delaware better get ready to increase their transportation budget so they can increase their road capacity...because if New Jersey passes Corzine's tobacco tax the path to Delaware will become New England's "tobacco road."

OINK OINK

2006-03-28T10:36:00.000-05:00

That's the sound coming out of the Governor's Office this week after it was disclosed that buried deep down in the Governor's $30 billion spending plan is a little pork. Try more than $40 million for parks. That's right, the same governor who just last week asked each of us to "sacrifice" and endure a little "pain" for the sake of our state's pressing budget needs is now asking us to pay for his pet projects. Governor, let me get this straight: First you broke your two campaign promises, then you offered us a budget that increases our taxes by$1.5 billion, and now, to add a little insult to injury, we discover you have padded your budget with more than $40 million in pork barrel projects. I can hear the taxpayers of NJ squealing now!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

2006-03-27T10:53:00.000-05:00

"I affectionately call it the Pepto-Bismol budget, because it's made the people sick to their stomach." That was NJ Assemblyman Joseph R. Malone's reaction to Governor Corzine's budget proposal, which includes more than $1.5 billion in new taxes on the citizens of New Jersey. Well said Mr. Malone!

STOP NJ TAX HIKES LAUNCHES PETITION TO DEFEAT TAX INCREASES

2006-03-26T13:29:00.000-05:00

Stop NJ Tax Hikes launched today an online petition for citizens to sign and voice their concerns over Governor Corzine's recent budget proposal, which includes more than $1.5 billion in new tax increases. Sign the Stop NJ Tax Hikes Petition today!

TAX INCREASE UNFAIRLY HITS SMOKERS

2006-03-25T21:47:00.000-05:00

New Jersey smokers already pay the second highest cigarette tax in the country. Now Governor Corzine wants to make it higher. The facts show that a pack per day smoker in New Jersey already pays $1,412 per year in taxes and settlement charges. A tax increase of 35 cents, as proposed by Governor Corzine, will raise their tax burden another $127.75 for a total yearly tax burden of $1,539.75. A smoker’s tax burden of $1,539.75 is equal to the amount an average household would spend on groceries for nearly 24 weeks ($64 per week). In addition, it is more than $500 more than the average annual household expenditures on education ($1,040).

CORZINE PROPOSES RECORD TAX INCREASES...BREAKS CAMPAIGN PROMISES

2006-03-25T20:41:00.000-05:00

New Jersey's new governor, Jon S. Corzine, proposed a $30.9 billion state budget to the Legislature this week that will impose higher taxes and fees on anyone who smokes, drinks alcohol, drives a gas-guzzling car and purchases any merchandise subject to the state sales tax. Mr. Corzine wants to raise the sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent, which would bring an additional $1.1 billion into state coffers. The sales tax is also being extended to some businesses that had previously been exempt, like tanning salons, tattoo parlors and limousine services. The governor's office said that the increase will mean that a household making the median income in New Jersey of $88,400 will pay an additional $212 a year in sales taxes. The cigarette tax, which is the second highest in the nation will go up 35 cents a pack, from $2.40 to $2.75, under the proposed budget. There will also be increases in the wholesale tax on alcohol. The tax on a gallon of beer will increase 5 cents, to 17 cents from 12 cents. A gallon of wine will increase 10 cents, to 80 cents from 70 cents, and the tax on a gallon of liquor will increase 10 cents, to $4.50 from $4.40. Mr. Corzine's budget also calls for a new tax on water of 4 cents per 1,000 gallons. The governor said that he would be unable to fulfill two promises he made as a candidate last year — to restore property tax rebates as much as he had pledged and to fully finance the state's annual pension obligation.