Budget games exposed

In a prior post I wrote about some budget games.  Here is an very informative letter written by Senator Marcia Karrow that outlines some specifics.

A letter to the editor from State Senator Marcia Karrow of District 23, Warren and Hunterdon Counties.

Governor Corzine has been saying the State’s spending will be $29.8 billion in fiscal 2010.  And he wrote in a recent Star Ledger letter the editor, “Having one appropriations act avoids confusion.”  Well, the truth is that the State will spend closer to $55 billion, and the $29.8 billion appropriations act is confusing, misleading and incomplete. It borders on an Enron style cover-up of serious financial instability.

Not long ago, almost all of New Jersey’s spending was contained in a single appropriations act as required by our state Constitution.  But, as state spending has surged, much of it has been pushed off the books into a labyrinth of special accounts and authorities. Above and beyond the $29.8 billion spent through what Governor Corzine calls the budget, the state spends more than an additional $20 billion “off the books” through special accounts and authorities. Furthermore, many of these special accounts and authorities are running huge deficits.

One huge example: The $4 billion in approximate annual spending that comes out of the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Spending from this fund has grown by $2 billion over several years, and it is completely outside the state’s official budget. The fund is projected to spend $1 billion more than its revenues for FY 2010 because of rising unemployment.

Here are some other examples of governor’s off-budget “magic”:

1. The billions of dollars in spending by the School Building Authority will grow by leaps and bounds because of the governor’s decision to borrow and spend an additional $4 billion without voter approval. The spending isn’t recorded in the state’s official budget.
2. The Turnpike Authority’s nearly $2 billion in spending increased by $500 million this year alone, primed with 50% toll increases. The Turnpike Authority’s spending is completely off the state budget.
3. The pension funds for state and local employees will spend more than $6 billion in fiscal 2010, even though contributions into the funds will be less than $3 billion. You guessed it:  Neither the spending out of the pension funds nor a $58 billion pension deficit is accounted for in the state budget.

One particularly offensive accounting gimmick lets Governor Corzine keep $2.2 billion in federal bailout money off his budget so he can claim he spent less than last year. It’s sort of like the child who covers his eyes and says, “You can’t see me.”

Our state’s bookkeeping is reminiscent of Enron’s before it collapsed – purposely confusing, misleading, and incomplete.  The growth of our State spending to approximately $55 billion and the way it is facilitated through a growing maze of authorities and special accounts are not Corzine’s doing alone.  But Corzine has been perfectly willing to perpetuate the myth that state spending is only what’s on the budget and that our books are balanced. It is similar to Wall Street wizards and people such as Bernie Madoff claiming their official balance sheets were strong — right up until payments started being missed and people discovered an inconvenient truth.

New Jersey voter information

NJ Division of Elections

A registered voter currently affiliated with a political party who wishes to change their party affiliation must file a Political Party Affiliation Declaration Form 50 days before a Primary Election.

A registered voter currently not affiliated with a political party may declare their party affiliation up to and including Primary Election day.

You can print and complete the Political Party Affiliation Declaration Form (see links below) and mail or deliver to the Commissioner of Registration in your county or you can also file it with your municipal clerk. These cards are also available at your local Commissioner of Registration Office. The Commissioner of Registration cannot accept faxed copies or an electronic transmission of Party Affiliation Declaration Forms, since an original signature is required.

Download Party Affiliation Declaration Form (131k pdf)

Vote Absentee
In New Jersey, any voter can now vote by Absentee Ballot for any election. You do not need a reason to vote by Absentee Ballot. Don’t feel like going to the polls? Simply vote by mail. Now there is “no excuse” not to vote!

A voter may apply for an absentee ballot by completing an Absentee Ballot Application (see below) and mailing the application to their County Clerk by mail up to 7 days prior to the election. A voter may also apply in person to the County Clerk until 3:00 p.m., the day before the election. The County Clerk cannot accept faxed copies of an Absentee Ballot Application since an original signature is required.

Download Absentee Ballot Application (24k pdf)

Courtesy lonegan.com                     

American’s for Prosperity “Save My Ballot” Tour

Join Pat Toomey and Tim Phillips in Philadelphia next Tuesday, March 31 on Americans for Prosperity’s “Save My Ballot Tour” to help protect millions of workers across the nation from being stripped of the right to vote in secret. The so-called Employee Free Choice Act being pushed by the Pelosi/Reid/Obama administration will strip these workers of their rights.  Event information is below this video.

The event is free and includes food and a line up of great speakers.
Save My Ballot Tour - Philadelphia
When: Tues, March 31st, 6:30-8:00pm
Where: Plymouth Meeting Community Center
Speakers: Pat Toomey - President of Club for Growth, Rep. Curt Schroder (Invited),
Tim Phillips - President of Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity - New Jersey will be chartering a bus to Philadelphia that will pick up at multiple locations along the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. If you would like to take advantage of the free transportation to the event, please contact Chris Trimarchi at 201-487-8844 or ctrimarchi@afphq.org.

What is America’s true form of government?

This video was found posted on the Justified Right Blog.  It is so important, I want to pass the opportunity for anyone who missed the video to view it here.

Military & Veterans’ Affairs, New Jersey Department of

Position Data – 2009 Budget (State/Federal/Other)

Military Services
•New Jersey National Guard Support Services-181
•Joint Training Center Management & Operations-6
•Administration & Support Services-52
Services to Veterans
•Veterans Outreach & Assistance-53
•Veterans Haven-14
•Burial Services-34
Menlo Park Veterans’ Memorial Home
•Domiciliary & Treatment Services-307
•Administration & Support Services-75
Paramus Veterans’ Memorial Home
•Domiciliary & Treatment Services-297
•Administration & Support Services-64
Vineland Veterans’ Memorial Home
•Domiciliary & Treatment Services-314
•Administration & Support Services-85

OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
“General Rieth commands more than 9,000 Soldiers and Airmen of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard.  He directs, controls, and manages the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in the execution of federal and state missions.  In addition, he manages all state veterans’ programs, commissions, and facilities in New Jersey.”
•DEPUTY ADJUTANT GENERAL
“Brigadier General Falca-Dodson has direct responsibility for: the Army and Air full time operations, Strength, NJ National Guard Training Center, Ethics, and the Office of Military Affairs which includes: Public Affairs, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and Government Relations. She is Chair of the Long Range Planning Executive Steering Committee, the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Advisory Committee, is the TAG designee for the Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force…”
•PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
•NJ EMPLOYER SUPPORT OF THE GUARD & RESERVE COMMITTEE
“The NJESGR Committee is made up of volunteer business executives, civic leaders, educators, retired and active military personnel, and concerned citizens dedicated to preventing and resolving those employer/employee conflicts that directly impact the retention of our reserve component soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen. Our 150 members with some help and resources from the National Committee based in Arlington, VA, initiate employer support and education programs including a speakers bureau, ombudsman program, visits to training sites, and through our awards program, recognition of employers whose policies support or encourage participation in the National Guard and Reserve.”
•NATIONAL GUARD ASSOCIATION OF NJ
“The purpose of the National Guard Association of New Jersey is to promote the mission of the National Guard of the State of New Jersey and of the United States; to cultivate and promote a better understanding of the purposes and ideals of the National Guard by the people of the State of Georgia; to cooperate with civic, philanthropic and patriotic organizations whose undertakings are not for profit, but are of vital interest to the State of New Jersey and its local communities.”
•ENLISTED ASSOCIATION NATIONAL GUARD OF NJ

OFFICE OF ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
“The Office of Military Affairs is responsible for handling constituent inquiries from the citizens of New Jersey and their legislators and members of Congress; monitoring state and federal bills in the legislature and in Congress; and testifying on behalf of the Department on those bills which affect New Jersey National Guard members, veterans, and the military installations in New Jersey.”

FISCAL DIVISION
“The mission of the Fiscal Section is to ensure proper accountability of State funds including allocation and expenditure to obtain needed products and services. In addition, the Fiscal Division functions as the supporting office for all central department fiscal transactions and provides fiscal analysis, guidance, and information in support of all department state programs and activities.”
DIRECTOR
CHIEF ACCOUNTING BUREAU
FEDERAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER
CHIEF PURCHASE & CONTRACTING BUREAU
BUDGET MANAGER
CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR

HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION
“The Human Resources Division functions as a support division for all central personnel transactions and provides human resources analysis, guidance, and information in support of all department state programs and activities.”
DIRECTOR
PAYROLL
“Payroll for all state employees within the department, State Active Duty payroll, Employment Verifications, Garnishments, State Health/ Dental/ Prescription Drug and Vision Programs, Leave of Absence, Temporary Disability, Deferred Compensation/ Supplemental Annuity, State Retirement Information, Direct Deposit, Life Insurance.”
PERSONNEL
“Accident Reporting (on-the-job, Sick Leave Injury, Workers Compensation), Departmental Promotions and Vacancies, Personnel and Medical Files, Performance Assessment Tracking and Ratings, Personnel Transactions, Time and Attendance, State Service and Retirement Awards, State Charitable Campaign, Building Access Cards.”
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
EMPLOYEE TRAINING
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

INFORMATION & ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION
“Responsibilities include, Automation Management, Telecommunications, Visual Information, Records Management, Publications and Printing, Official Mail and Distribution, State and Military Orders Management, State Vehicle Fleet Operations, Administrative Code Management, and National Guard State Awards and Benefits Programs.”
TELECOM MANAGER
NETWORK CONTROL CENTER
RCAS CUSTOMER SUPPORT CENTER
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES BUREAU
RECORDS & ARCHIVES
POSTAL OPERATIONS
PRINTING OPERATIONS
VEHICLE REQUESTS

INSTALLATIONS DIVISION
“The mission of Installations Division is to provide planning, design, construction, supervision, maintenance and repair for NJDMAVA properties and facilities IAW applicable Federal and State laws, regulations and codes to enhance the living and working conditions for the state’s Veterans and the New Jersey National Guard.”
FACILITIES & PROPERTY BUREAU
•JERSEY CITY ARMORY
“The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs oversees the Jersey City Armory, which is leased to the City of Jersey City from the State.  The building is maintained through a co-operative effort between the two government entities.  The Jersey City Department of Recreation primarily operates the athletic facility in conjunction with the State.”
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT BUREAU
OFFICE OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
“The purpose of the Office of Environmental Compliance is to administer and manage environmental policies and programs for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA).”
•PUBLICATIONS
••NJ Army National Guard Environmental Compliance Desktop Guide (306 pgs.)
••Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (223 pgs.)
••Asbestos Operations & Maintenance Plan (114 pgs.)
OFFICE OF REAL PROPERTY
•STATE PROPERTY & INVENTORY
•GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
•LEASES & RENTALS
NJ CHALLENGE YOUTH PROGRAM
NATIONAL GUARD MILITIA MUSEUM OF NJ
NJ NATIONAL GUARD TRAINING CENTER-SEA GIRT

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

DIVISION OF VETERANS’ HEALTHCARE SERVICES
“The Division of Veterans Healthcare Services operates three modern long-term care nursing homes located in Paramus, Menlo Park, and Vineland. These homes are inspected and licensed annually by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.”
VETERANS MEMORIAL HOME-VINELAND
“This is the state’s oldest operating veterans home, having opened in 1899. It has provided residential and long-term care to New Jersey veterans of every war and armed conflict since the War of 1812. Newly rebuild in 2005, this state-of-the-art nursing home serves 300 residents.”
VETERANS MEMORIAL HOME-MENLO PARK
“This facility was rebuilt in 1999 on 109-acres in Middlesex County. It is the most modern, state-of-the-art nursing home in the United States. The 332-bed facility features a “town square” core with resident living areas located around the perimeter.”
VETERANS MEMORIAL HOME-PARAMUS
“This facility, located on 23-acres in northeastern Bergen County, opened on August 4, 1986. It has two modern residential buildings, able to accommodate 336 residents, and two fenced-in garden areas.”

DIVISION OF VETERANS’ PROGRAMS
“Through our network of regional Veterans Service Offices, the N.J. Division of Veterans Services, Bureau of Veterans Benefits provides the state’s 712,000 veterans and their dependents with information and guidance in filing claims. Trained veterans service officers at those offices also assist veterans with issues pertaining to employment, education, burial, counseling, housing, social and medical services, and other areas of concern to veterans and their families. Please make every effort to use these valuable services.”
DEPARTMENT SERVICES OFFICES
COUNTY SERVICES OFFICES
CATASTROPHIC INJURY ENTITLEMENT
HOMELESS INTERVENTION PROGRAM
POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER & READJUSTMENT COUNSELING
TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
•WAR ORPHANS TUITION ASSISTANCE
•POW-MIA TUITION BENEFIT PROGRAM
•VETERANS TUITION CREDIT PROGRAM

DIVISION OF VETERANS’ SERVICES
“The Division encompasses free interment and perpetual care in the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Maintains the State’s Monuments and Memorials—Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Education Center, Korean War Veterans Memorial, South Jersey Veterans Monument at Oceanview, Oversees a “Transitional Housing Program” for homeless veterans, and the State Approving Agency that certifies education programs for the U.S. Veterans Affairs.”
BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM C. DOYLE MEMORIAL CEMETERY
•CEMETERY ADVISORY COUNCIL
NJ VIETNAM VETERANS’ MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
NJ KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL
WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL AT VETERANS PARK
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM VETERANS HAVEN
“The Transitional Housing Program for homeless veterans occupies a three-story building on state property in Winslow Township. The program is divided into three phases: treatment; self-reclamation; and community reintegration. Each phase lasts three to six months and is tailored to individual treatment needs and vocational interests.”

NJ ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
254th COMBAT REGIMENT-SEA GIRT
63rd ARMY BAND-SEA GIRT
57th TROOP COMMAND-ATLANTIC CITY
•119th CORPS SUPPORT BATTALION
•50th PERSONNEL SERVICE BATTALION
•50th FINANCE BATTALION
•1-150th GENERAL SUPPORT AVIATION BATTALION

NEW JERSEY AIR NATIONAL GUARD
108th AIR REFUELING WING-MCGUIRE AFB
177TH FIGHTER WING

JOINT FORCE HQ-NJ NATIONAL GUARD
JOINT CHIEF OF STAFF
“The Chief of Staff, under the direction of the Adjutant General, is responsible for providing administrative support to the New Jersey National Guard’s entire workforce and state provided programs.”
G-1 PERSONNEL
“The G-1 (Personnel) is responsible for all aspects of support to the soldiers of the New Jersey Army National Guard. This includes recruiting, retaining, and administration of incentive programs. Personnel management of soldiers careers to include assignments, promotions, awards, discipline actions, separations, and retirements. Support of Guardsmen’s families during training and deployments. Assistance is provided to retirees and surviving family members. Monitor and support the medical needs of the soldiers.”
•HEALTH SERVICES SECTION
•INTELLIGENCE
•PLANS, OPERATIONS, & TRAINING
••COUNTER DRUG TASK FORCE
••MILITARY SUPPORT CIVIL AUTHORITY
••MILITARY SUPPORT DOMESTIC ACTIONS
“Through an active community relations program, the New Jersey National Guard demonstrates it is a good neighbor and community partner. The Guard and its soldiers and airmen are extensively involved in local community organizations and often participate in, or support, the events they sponsor.”
•NATIONAL GUARD EDUCATION CENTER
••TUITION PROGRAM
••FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS
•NJ FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM
“This website provides an overview of military benefits and how to access them, identifies eligibility requirements associated with some entitlement, and, most importantly, lets you know where you can obtain assistance when you have specific questions and problems. Knowing your benefits and how to access them will help you plan for when your spouse or family member is away performing military service.”
••STATE FAMILY PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
••ASSISTANT FAMILY PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
••MILITARY FAMILY LIFE CONSULTANTS (2)
••FAMILY PROGRAMS SPECIALIST
•••FAMILY READINESS ASSISTANT
•••STATE YOUTH COORDINATOR
•••MILITARY ONE SOURCE REPRESENTATIVE
••YELLOW RIBBON SUPPORT SUPERVISOR
•••YELLOW RIBBON COORDINATORS (2)
••BENEFITS
G-2 INTELLIGENCE
G-3 PLANS OPERATIONS & TRAINING
•COUNTER DRUG TASK FORCE SECTION
•MILITARY SUPPORT CIVIL AUTHORITY
•MILITARY SUPPORT DOMESTIC ACTIONS
G-4 LOGISTICS
COMBINED SUPPORT MAINTENANCE
•GENERAL FOREMAN
•PRODUCTION & CONTROL
•INSPECTION
•ARMAMENT
•ALLIED TRADES
•ELECTRONICS
•AUTOMOTIVE
G-5/7 HOMELAND SECURITY
G-6 INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
US PROPERTY & FISCAL OFFICE
“Receives and Accounts for all funds and property of the United States in the possession of the New Jersey National Guard, and ensures that Federal funds are obligated and expended in conformance with applicable statutes and regulations. Makes returns and reports on Federal funds and property as directed by the Chief, National Guard Bureau and the appropriate Service Secretary.”
•INTERNAL REVIEW DIVISION
•DATA PROCESSING CENTER
•RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DIVISION
•PURCHASING & CONTRACTION DIVISION
•SUPPLY & SERVICES DIVISION
INSPECTOR GENERAL OFFICE
“The State (TAG) Inspector General is a confidential representative and member of the personal staff of The Adjutant General. He assesses and reports as the TAG directs on matters affecting mission performance and the state of economy, efficiency, discipline, morale, esprit de corps, and readiness of the New Jersey National Guard. The IG may administer oaths, receive and process requests for assistance, and conduct inquiries, investigations, and inspections. His area of interest includes every phase of activity of the command. Commanders or activity heads will provide all practicable aid and assistance necessary to facilitate IG inquiries, investigations, and inspections.”
STATE ARMY AVIATION OFFICE
“The Aviation, Safety and Occupational Health Directorate is multi-tasked to monitor and provide: Aviation training and mission support; statewide aviation and ground Safety; and Occupational and Industrial Health responsibilities.”

New Jersey’s budget ‘Labyrinth’

Our New Jersey budget was a main topic of discussion during this past week’s conference call, hosted by Conservatives with Attitude.  Guest speaker Assemblyman Joe Malone spiked my curiosity about some illusive aspects of the budget.  I am certainly a novice at understanding budgets, but will present here some concerning and even disturbing ways that NJ spends our money.

After a two-week delay of the budget message, Governor Corzine released his Fiscal 2010 Budget in Brief, which is 174 pages.  From this point there will be many committee meetings and discussions.  In the end thousands of pages of supporting documentation will culminate in a full release of the final budget comprising some 700 pages. The budget is set up with multiple sections.  Budget schedules are a good depiction of what priorities the state sets.  Income resources to the state are identified that will provide funding for programs, services, and other identified items.  One can view a users guide to the budget, which is packed with some great information.

There is a lot of important data that is not clearly identifiable and understandable in the New Jersey budget.  Any data discussed below will be reflective of budgets from prior years as there is not yet detailed data for the FY 2010 budget.  Critical information missing from the budget in brief, but slated to be in the final budget, are a tremendous amount of what are called ‘language recommendations’.   Some language is needed to allow flexibility for the state to operate under the budget, which is a moving target.  But language that states “such additional sums as may be required” may be concerning.  This type of wording would make me wonder if programs could be under-stated, resulting in a budget that is lower than realities would depict.  This could be a real ‘can of worms’ as it leaves an open door for overspending the budgeted amount.

A lot of the language involves transfers of money from and to various accounts and funds.  It is too difficult and often virtually impossible to follow the money trail.  Below is one example from the Department of Transportation, page D-394.

“Notwithstanding the provisions of any law or regulation to the contrary, of the amounts hereinabove appropriated for the Department of Transportation from the General Fund, $12,500,000 thereof shall be paid from funds received or receivable from the various transportation-oriented authorities pursuant to contracts between the authorities and the State as are determined to be eligible for such funding pursuant to such contracts, as shall be determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting.”

A true test of the transparency of such a statement, along with the $12.5 million, will be if the new budget specifically announces the disposition of the money as it relates to the language.

Here is one more example from the Department of Human Services, page D-209.

“Of the amount hereinabove appropriated for the NJ FamilyCare program, there shall be transferred to various accounts, including Direct State Services and State Aid accounts, such amounts, not to exceed $6,000,000, as are necessary to pay for the administrative costs of the program, subject to the approval of the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting.”

There are also exclusions from our New Jersey budget.   It is easy to show revenue coming in from the multitude of taxes, fees, and other sources.  But what impact does this have on the budget and taxpayers when items such as tax exemptions, credits, and preferential treatments are given to some ‘groups’?  There is impact because it is money that could have been collected, so others have to make up the difference.  Our budget contains no analysis or listing of these exclusions called “tax expenditures” and whether they are justified from year to year.

Another area of the budget is most intriguing to me involves state agencies.  We are not privy to view the finances of these independent authorities on the budget, although they impact us immensely.  There are some clues of their operations when they are granted a line item in the budget.  There is one section in the budget that is called Interdepartmental Accounts, the appropriation is $3.307 billion.  The mission and goals are “…provide funds for the cost of certain services that are administered centrally on behalf of all agencies of State government.”  I would like to learn more about this section and will pass on what I find.

In my perusing of the budget I notice a lot of funds going to non-profit or not for profits presumably under contract of some sort with the state.  In the Department of Community Affairs under Program Classifications, page D-60, appears this statement.

“Provides assistance to nonprofit groups, local governments, and other local organizations in improving the quality of life for the state’s low—income population. In addition to serving as the New Jersey Office of Economic Opportunity (C.52:27D–7), supports programs for disadvantaged groups, community action agencies, community development, community recreation (especially for the disabled), the Hispanic community, weatherization and lead–based paint hazard control.  The Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development (CHPRD) ensures the empowerment of the Latino/Hispanic community of the state through the provision of grants to Hispanic community–based organizations for innovative programs and initiatives; technical assistance and referral services aimed at empowering Hispanic community—based organizations; creating training/employment opportunities for Hispanic college interns (a source of potential leadership); conducting and supporting research on Hispanics in New Jersey; developing public/private partnerships that would enrich CHPRD programs and initiatives and provide additional resources; and recognizing the contributions of the Latino community in New Jersey.”

Since my mind is inquisitive, I question who the numerous groups are throughout the budget that are receiving our hard earned money.  I have found through exploring some of the community groups web pages that they in turn sometimes redistribute money to other groups.  Where it ends up would require some intense investigation.

After many hours, days, even weeks of surveying our New Jersey budget I conclude that there is a lot to be desired in it’s presentation.  Transparency and plain language on the disbursements of monies would be helpful and should be carried on to future years with specific notations so we could follow the disposition of financial language provisions.  When generalized language terms are used they can cover for understated line item spending thereby minimizing the general spending outlined in the budget, giving an appearance of a reduced budget.  The maze of legal language and generalized terms used furthers the ability to hide spending and allow the shuffling of money.

For New Jersey to fix its fiscal woes, it must know where every dollar of our taxes is going, and why it is being spent.  Anything less will result in continued increases in the areas of spending, borrowing, and taxing.

New Jersey to Battle COAH Mandates

Below is an announcement from Americans for Prosperity New Jersey (AFP-NJ).  I have been a member of AFP since 2006 and it is one great organization.

AFP-NJ announces our voter education initiative, beginning in March, focused on combating the state’s Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). COAH’s heavy handed social engineering mandates that 100,000 low income housing units be forced into towns across our state causing increased crime, overcrowding schools, high density housing and lowered property values. These negative effects will eventually lead to increased property taxes on top of those already paid by New Jersey homeowners.
COAH spotlights the damaging legacy of an activist Supreme Court in New Jersey. We see the reappointment of two justices during 2009/2010 as an opportunity to end the court’s activism and allow the free market to determine the state’s housing need.
The battle against COAH will spread throughout the state with citizen education, petitions, and presentations to local organizations. Please visit the AFP New Jersey website to find a taxpayer seminar near you.

We hope you’ll join us at one of Americans for Prosperity Foundation’s special “Taxpayer Action Seminars,” where you will learn the tactics, facts, and figures you’ll need to make a difference for the principles of limited government, lower taxes, and individual liberty.
This is our current schedule for seminars across New Jersey where our goal is to educate thousands of taxpayers. If you’d like more information or details about any of these events, please call us at 201-487-8844.

March 11, 2009 7:30 p.m.
Taxpayer Seminar
Ambulance corp Building
14 Sparta Ave
Sparta, NJ 07871

Protecting the bureaucracy

Governor Corzine and I clash on the meaning of words and statements.  Here are a few select examples that were in his March 10 budget speech intermingled with my views.

•Cutting means to reduce size, strength, or amount.  It does not mean delay or shift as he proposes to do with pensions deferrals and slides of costs down to towns, citizens, and businesses.

•Vulnerable means someone who could be easily hurt or injured.  It does not include those who could fend for themselves and is individual, not delineated by groups.

•Honoring our parents and grandparents means to help them if needed and be respectful to allow them as much independence as can be allowed.  Not to categorize them all as needing selective assistance.

•Congratulating the legislature for passing $3.9 billion dollars of school construction program.  Was the enormous debt and related interest for this forgotten?

•Job creation is something that happens when businesses hire employees, not when the state or government supplies someone temporary work.

Nothing in Corzine’s speech was a surprise to me because he repeats his ideology.  He continues to protect his bureaucracy, mostly at the expense of the taxpayers, and businesses.

Burden of the Highlands Act

The New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA) is an “in-but-not-of” entity established in the Department of Environmental Protection and has a staff of 133.  The 80-page 2008 Annual Report states that source water must be protected “for the benefit of the Authority [NJWSA] and its customers”.

More than 5.4 million NJ residents rely on water that is extracted from the Highlands Region, an 860,000- acre swath that spans a large area through the north section of NJ.  On the NJWSA Annual Report is a listing that includes a multitude of towns, numerous water companies, and a half dozen country or golf clubs.  Water from the Highlands is supplying not only residents, but also many businesses and sports complexes in most of our state.

An Express Times letter to the editor, written by David Shope, proposes in essence what would be a user fee.  He suggests the portion of the cost charged for water that is dedicated for watershed land acquisition increase from $8 per million gallons to $33 per million gallons.  The increase of $25 per million gallons would be used for land acquisition in the Highlands Area.  With an average residential cost of 76 cents, this increase would raise $2.1 million a year.

Shope’s proposal is a pittance compared to the billions of lost land equity as a result of the Highlands Act.  But over years it would begin to balance the financial burden placed on the affected landowners who are not receiving relief in exchange for their sacrifices.  For more information on the Highlands Act, please refer to my prior post.

Governor of NJ-An important choice

I have been pondering this post for a few weeks.  While watching and reading coverage of the candidates for governor my mind wondered when we last elected a conservative governor in NJ.   During my lifetime none could be identified.  Nor do I recall any discussion by my parents of a conservative elected as governor of NJ.  Turns out it is a rare occurrence both on the state and national levels.

A nice piece of writing by Wally Edge from PolitickerNJ.com has prodded me to finally take the plunge.  Charles Edison, the son of inventor Thomas Edison, was a Republican until the 1930s.  In 1940 Edison was elected as governor of NJ, as a Democrat.  He was the last conservative holding the office.  Then in 1962 the Conservative Party of New York was formed, and one of the founders was Charles Edison.

An interesting goal of Edison “was to make New Jersey’s state government a model for all other states to emulate, hopefully thereby to stem, or a least slow down, the flow of power to the federal government.”

“Charles Edison never actively sought nomination to elective or appointive office. He entered public service during the depths of the Depression not out of ambition, but out of an acute sense of responsibility.  Edison believed that affluent Americans had an inherent obligation to assist in the preservation of the institutions that had enabled their fathers to rise from obscurity and penury to affluence and acclaim. Edison’s conception of American capitalism, therefore, dictated that, as a beneficiary of the free market system, he suspend his corporate career in order to aid in the reinvigoration of American’s economic infrastructure–the foundation, Edison believed, of the nation’s democratic institutions.

Likewise, Edison’s candidacy for governor–his sole foray into elective politics–was not motivated by personal aspiration. Rather, it was a visceral response to what Edison perceived as the most tangible threats to democracy–the burgeoning federal bureaucracy and the persistence of political machines. By denying the electorate the effective exercise of its sovereign right–the power to elect officials in whom it had voluntarily vested a discreet and well-defined amount of authority. Both political phenomena, therefore, undermined the basic framework of American democracy, as Edison understood it. Edison feared that unless counteracted, the exponential growth of the federal bureaucracy would lead to an inevitable, and potentially irreversible, erosion of the sovereignty of the individual states, as federal agencies assumed responsibilities and powers which properly rested with the states.

Democracy, according to Edison, was predicated upon the unimpeded ability of the people to choose representatives who are not only representative, but responsive, to their constituents.”

When I read the above quote it brings another dimension into the importance of whom we elect as governor.   These are critical times we face in our state and government.   Electing a conservative in NJ would have good vibrations far beyond the boundaries of NJ.

I have explored our contending Republican gubernatorial candidates and they are all quite respectable in their own rights.  For me one candidate stands out.  Not only as a conservative, but as a proactive fighter for the taxpayers in NJ combined with business and government experience.  Steve Lonegan has a wealth of information on his campaign site for us to investigate.

We are faced with an important choice here in NJ, and the country is watching.  My vision of our state and country is not the same of those presently holding the skewed preponderance of power.  We have seen towns in NJ relegated to administrators of state mandates.  I watch as our Congress and President sign massive spending bills that are radically changing the direction of our country.  I wonder in our shrinking economy who will be paying for all this spending that has created mind boggling national and state debt.  Electing a NJ governor who is driven from within, and not from outside political sources of power, will begin to turn around our state and be more aligned to the needs of the people.  Without a proactive, self-motivated, conservative in NJ we will wind up with more of the same.