From: leza@taichi.uucp (25853-breckinridge)
Newsgroups: nj.politics
Subject: NJ State Politics
Keywords: Gov't spending
Date: 4 Nov 92 20:04:29 GMT
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ

Hello Out there,

    I was just reading the last several entries in "NJ Politics"
and a few folks decided to comment on my last post "Florio Wasting
$$ Again." Unfortunately, I cannot remember all of the points made
(mostly good ones I hasten to add) but here are my additional
thoughts:

About what I expect from "A Part-time" Legislature:

   I must have missed the funnies since we the voters put them in the
Statehouse on a FULL-TIME basis. I have to admit, I am still learning
about the workings of government at the state/local levels but
one thing I do know is I that I voted Republican to a) Counter-act
the "mistakes" Florio made in his first 2 years and b) to bring some
sense and responsibility the many difficult issues facing NJ. 
Among these issues are the usual (Health care, Insurance, education)
plus others: Traffic congestion, companies leaving NJ, the so-called
state budget-deficit). Speaking of the budget deficit, maybe someone
could explain to me how when Kean was still in office, there was
a surplus which magically disappeared when Florio took over. If Kean
was indeed "lying", then why didn't the Assembly (Democrat-controlled)
let us know? 



What I want from Government and tax dollars issue:

    I believe that the State Government has a responsibility to
it's citizens to allocate our tax dollars responsibly. I believe
that there is enough money in the budget to take care of the
important matters (ie. see above) without raising taxes. I fully
support the elimination of 1 billion dollars from the state budget.
I also opposed the Bond issue on yesterday's ballot for the "Green
Acres" act. I opposed this, not because I don't think we need to
protect our environment ( I do!!) but because we need to begin to
control our spending while we get our act together. Taxes and fees
are already too high when you think about adding the rising costs
of benefits, utilities, housing, and insurance. We need to hold
the line on income taxes, both at the state and federal level. What
we need is responsible legislators who will not cave in to the
special interests and put the money to "good use". For example,
we all pay "gas taxes". If our government would allocate these
funds to where they belong, "transportation/roads", then money
currently spent on roads could be allocated elsewhere. If you
want to pass bond issues, lets use the money to fund items where
some financial return could be realized (ie. transportation, job training, etc)


Now that the Presidential campaign has ended, New Jerseyans will soon be
entering another campaign. We have to decide if what Jim Florio is doing
is good for our state or if we can do better. There was a lot of anger
against Florio but that anger is beginning to wane. Will this anger
re-surface in 1993?

Robert
"Christy in '93"

PS: I thought it was interesting when one of the networks interviewed
    a Congress-watcher on the subject of term limits. He said that
    the states which implement term limits would be hurt since senority
    decides who chairs what committees and it is those "chairs" who
    determine where the $$ goes. THAT IS EXACTLY THE POINT!!!! Political
    games "should" not be used in deciding where the $$ goes. It should
    go to where it is most needed. (I know, I am living in a dream world
    but....)