New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine is in serious trouble. Back when he was first elected, the idea that the billionaire wizard from Wall Street would make a difference was one of the motivating factors to getting elected. The Democrat could claim that having the billions would make him immune to many of the problems and pitfalls of New Jersey politics, including the perception of corruption and being on the take.
That is no longer the case.
Corzine's personal wealth has taken a serious beating in the past year, and that means that he's now forced to raise funds to be reelected just as his GOP opponent Chris Christie must do. Corzine has even had President Obama come to New Jersey to stump for Corzine, which tells you the seriousness with which Democrats are looking to New Jersey as a bellweather for their prospects in 2010 and beyond.
Now that Corzine has to go fundraising, it means that yet another reason for choosing him in November is shot to hell. Already, we know that his finanical acumen is truly smoke and mirrors given the multi-billion dollar deficits and chicanery needed to pass the budget this year, including covering the shortfall by doubling down on the pension underfunding, and curtailing property tax relief.
Property tax relief was one of his prime gimmicks in getting elected four years ago. He wanted to use a sales tax hike to cover property tax relief payments, so that we're now in a position that we have a higher sales tax and higher property taxes - with no relief in sight.
Instead of attacking the structural issues that bring about high property taxes, we got tax and spend.
Voters are going to see this and see how Corzine's fellow Democrats are all looking out for themselves, rather than for the fiscal wellbeing of their constituents.
No comments:
Post a Comment