Corzine scratching the surface

Included in Gov. Corzine’s Budget Address Tuesday was the elimination of three state departments. Although I do agree that a number of departments and/or agencies should be eliminated, one of the choices he selected is very troublesome.

This cut I agree with, The Personnel Department (DOP), was established in 1986 as a replacement for the Department of Civil Service. Their mission statement main objectives concentrate on “…reducing bureaucracy, generating efficiency and improving management of public employees… “. Their press releases for 2007 are few in number and include announcements of walks and rallies, appointments, awards, and workshops. Anything of importance that this department now does can be absorbed into another state entity.

Next on Corzine’s chopping block is the Commerce Department. It is the NJ Commerce, Economic Growth & Tourism Commission. In their overview they describe themselves as, “…the state’s lead agency in coordinating efforts between government and the private sector to provide access to a broad range of technical, financial and other assistance that helps business grow and contribute to economic development.” Interesting that the 11-member Board of Directors includes Gov. Corzine; the Commissioners from the DEP, the NJ Department of Labor, the NJ Department of Transportation, and the NJ Commission on Higher Education, and also the Chairman of the NJ Commission on Higher Education. Three members are appointments by the Governor and one member each is an appointed by The Senate President and the Assembly Speaker. I can find no business that says they have benefited from this department, much less ever heard from them.

Another choice presented by Corzine is the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA). The NJDA was created in 1916 and agriculture now ranks as the third largest industry in NJ, generating $82 billion. The NJDA employs 245, who are very active and provide a valuable service. Their mission “…is to develop, promote, conserve and support the agricultural and agribusiness industry of the state and those natural and renewable resources that are associated with agriculture and other open lands for the benefit of all its citizens”. NJDA’s agenda is vast, ranging from animal and plant health to food and nutrition. The programs are very diverse, and include preserving soil and water resources, distributing surplus foods to soup kitchens, and preserving farmland. It would be disastrous for the industry if this department is eliminated or it’s functions redistributed to other departments. Ray the Prize Guy put it so well on 101.5, that we are the Garden State and will not have an Ag Department.

Governor Corzine’s choice of elimination of our Agriculture Department is so outrageous that it takes credibility away from his other proposed changes. If cut we will be among only two another states in the country not to have a stand alone Department of Agriculture, Rhode Island and Alaska have sub-departments. Even our US Territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands have their own Agriculture Departments.

I fear that many of the activities will be taken over by the already gargantuan Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the DEP is not farmer friendly. The DEP has many rules that make it difficult, sometimes impossible, for the Agriculture Business. One example is the Highlands Act. This Act and its follow-up papers comprise thousands of pages of convoluted, ambiguous, and complicated information.

I believe the NJDA is a valuable department to retain for its proactive contributions to our food supply, food safety, plant monitoring programs, and support of farms and open spaces. We’ll see what the Legislature decides on the departments, and which ones they vote to eliminate.

In yesterday’s press release Steve Lonegan, Executive Director of Americans for Prosperity states, “Corzine’s proposal was deficient and should be corrected with the following steps.” Among the proposals he suggests the following departments should be eliminated, State, Community Affairs, Public Advocate, the Comptroller Agency. Lonegan agrees with Corzine in eliminating the Personnel Department and Commerce Departments, but disagrees with the elimination of the Agriculture Department. He states, “The Department of Agriculture is the only thing that stands between the farmers and the DEP.”

“The mission of The New Jersey Department of State is to advance and support the arts, heritage, and historic record of New Jersey through public participation in cultural programs, quality of life initiatives and community service activities.” I love to go to museums and cultural events and personally don’t mind paying my way. An entire department is not necessary for these events to continue.

New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is involved in fire and building safety codes and standards, community planning, and local government management and finances. They were “created to provide administrative guidance, financial support and technical assistance to local governments, community development organizations, business and individuals to improve the quality of life in New Jersey.” When I read further into their affiliations with other agencies I understand that they are a division who is mainly geared toward state control of many issues that should be handled locally. Get rid of this department who is taking powers away from the citizens to command their own destinies on a community level.

In 2006 the State of New Jersey restored the Department of the Public Advocate after 13 years lapse. We did well without this Department for 13 years and will again find the channels to take on their more important issues.

The State Comptroller’s Office is a new agency. Governor Corzine appointed Matthew Boxer as ‘independent’ comptroller in January. The office duties are specified as auditing finances, examine program efficiencies, scrutinize contracts, and train other state entities in auditing. They are…”an independent office created to bring greater efficiency and transparency to the operation of all levels of New Jersey’s government.” Take a look at the definitions of ‘independent’. Independent should be independent. This agency should be eliminated.

Why spend our hard earned money to support so many departments and agencies that we have either done well without, and others that are simply self-serving and put more power in the hands of the state. We should only keep the departments that are essential or bring money or safety to the citizens by their activities.