NJ Saved or Created Jobs: 24,000 (at $728,197.75)

New Jersey was expecting to receive $17,476,745,987 from the $787 billion stimulus package passed by congress earlier this year. This morning, just in time for the election, it was reported by NorthJersey.com that New Jersey saved or created 24,000 jobs. We can be sure that Corzine will be trumpeting this number on the campaign trail this weekend. By my calculation, that means that the Federal government spent $728,197.75 for each job created or saved.

Apparently, if you are Jon Corzine, that is a good deal. It is certainly more than he paid Karla Katz or her brother for their silence on his ethical issues. I wonder if he counted his own job in the figures?

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Check this out! What if we didn't pass the stimulus?

This blog post and video are amazing. Check it out.

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State deficit - Corzine says everyone is doing it!

Jon Corzine made a comment meant to suggest that New Jerseys fiscal woes a the same saying "almost every state is in the same situation". Do the facts back him up(from CBPP)?




So, while many states have deficits, they all do not. And while many states are revising their numbers (these were prior to most states evaluating their revenue collection for 2008), it is not all states. As a matter of fact, 29 states have budget deficits. 21 do not. And 7 states have a deficit in excess of 10 percent of their budget, New Jersey being one of them.

So maybe Governor Corzine should say "7 states have completely failed in their fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers and we are one of them". That would be a lot more accurate.

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NJ Senators just plain batty!

I can't help but want to scream when I see an article like this one:

N.J. legislators join push for funding to aid ailing bats
Effort aims to understand deadly syndrome
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
BY BRIAN T. MURRAY
Star-Ledger Staff
Federal lawmakers are seeking emergency funds from the U.S. Department of Interior to help scientists in the Northeast investigate "white-nose syndrome," a phenomenon blamed for the deaths of more than 1 million bats over the past two winters.

U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), along with 23 lawmakers from a dozen other states, signed a letter written yesterday by Vermont's congressional delegation to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar asking for his support. Citing the importance bats play in the North American ecosystem, including their consumption of insects, the letter states that white-nose syndrome "has profound public health, environmental and economic implications."

It isn't that I am anti-bat. Frankly, I have not noticed any difference in the number of bats swooping out of the trees behind my house at night. Clearly that is not a scientific argument. What galls me is that our senators should have something better to do.

One thing is clear. Senator Lautenberg and Senator Menendez vote complete lock step in line with whatever Harry Reid tells them to vote for. There is no independence. There is no real work involved with going along. And what is the evidence?

They are more worried about bats than they are about New Jersey taxpayers. Maybe they have more affinity for the former than the latter.

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Belmar Tea Party Pics!

I have to admit that the Belmar event so far has been one of my favorites
around the country. Why? I used to live at the shore and I know very well what happens when weather conditions like yesterday occur. They had 200-300 people in absolute nor-easter weather. Now that is impressive!


From citizen reporter Eileen:

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The Real Meaning of the Tea Party Movement

Certain events cause you to think about what is going on in the world today and where you came from. Well over a year ago, Jake and I created this blog as a response to the New Jersey Governor and legislature's implementation of their massive sales tax increase. Early commenters treated us with a "grow up" kind of disdain. I am sure that their reasoning said that New Jersey citizens have always been apathetic to taxes and this would never change. We always believed that if people only knew the facts, they would respond and rise up against a culture of corrupt government that only serves itself and the politically connected. And never serves the taxpayer.

Fast forward almost two years. On April 15, we are likely to see a demonstration that none of us has ever experienced. You see, the tax tea party movement is not a pack of liberal professional protestors. It also is not a bunch of hippies looking to revisit the glory days of the 60's. The movement is made up of regular people who have not responded as expected to the anti-wealth rhetoric of the current administration and their liberal colleagues in the states.

I have been getting a steady stream of emails since our first posting of the tea party locations. While the comments section shows a lot of anonymous posters, these folks send us mails looking for help, offerring to volunteer and are generally disgusted by our state and the state of the federal government.

The media is trying to paint the tea party movement as a bunch of conservative kooks. It is clear to me that there is nothing kooky about what is going on. This movement is made up of honest, hard working, normal people who don't appreaciate the "changes" that we are supposed to believe in.

I think that the issue is that Americans at heart aspire to do better than their parents and even themselves. We are always striving to work hard and make sacrifices for our families. We don't resent the guy or lady in the fancy car that drives by, we strive to be that person. And we do not appreciate a president or governor that assumes that we want someone to take care of us. Thanks Barack and John, we will take care of ourselves thank you.

We all knew who brought us to this point and many of the same people who caused the current crisis are bathing in earmarks right now as a byproduct of the president's policies. Sure, Bush played a part. However, he has left the stage. What about those who would blame Bush but carry far more of the blame than he ever did? They are still on the stage, profiting from the crisis. Dodd. Frank. Schumer. Why don't they leave the stage?

And in the end, who is left holding the bag? Us. Hence the tea party movement.

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Morristown Tea Party Update 2!

A message from the organizers of the Morristown Tea Party:

A group of concerned citizens has been working together with one accord to create an opportunity for their friends, neighbors, and fellow NJ residents to meet and announce to the world with one voice that we have all had enough of fiscally irresponsibile government.

To that end, we announce and invite you to attend the Morristown Tea Party to be held at the Morristown Green, at noon on April 15, tax day.**

Attached to this email is a video clip prepared one of the team members to advertize the rally. Please send it out to your email contacts. There is more information on our website: www.MorristownTeaParty.org.

**If the weather is bad, we will still hold the rally. Please make sure that you dress appropriately.

Check out their video:

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Announcement - Another Tea Party - AFP Piscataway

Our loyal readers have been asking for more tea party info. Here is another event guaranteed to be solid turnout. From American's For Prosperity:


AFP-NJ Announces Taxpayer Tea Party to Protest Gov. Corzines’s Tax Hikes, April 15

New Jersey citizens urge Corzine to reduce spending, reject stimulus money



Join AFP-NJ along with grassroots activists across the country on April 15th at 5PM for a Taxpayer Tea Party to protest Governor Corzine’s proposed tax hikes.
NJ has the worst tax climate in the nation, and yet Governor Corzine continues to rely on tax revenues to support the state’s overgrown budget. This tradition has left us poorly positioned to deal with the economic recession.
Even with the so-called stimulus funds that are coming to New Jersey-- totaling $2 billion-- Governor Corzine has introduced a FY 2010 state budget with a $7 billion deficit, and massive tax hikes to go along with it.
Governor Corzine continues to increase taxes—it is the same mistake over and over again. Taxpayers have carried the burden of these mistakes long enough-- It’s critical to fight back against this proposed budget and its tax hikes!
Urge Governor Corzine and state legislators to take the first step in mending this $7 billion deficit by cutting the size of the state budget and planning for New Jersey’s financial future.

What: Taxpayer Tea Party
Who: Americans for Prosperity
When: Wednesday, April 15, 5:00pm
Where: Johnson Park ( River Road, Piscataway Township)

For more information or to register, click here or call 201-487-8844.

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Silly bonus outrage versus reality

Last week we got a real dose of how absolutely ridiculous our elected officials have become. If I collected the outraged spittle flying out of the mouths of members of the House of Representatives, I could have turned Nevada into lush farmland. All the outrage over employees of AIG who received retention bonuses. The real situation at AIG was far more complex and so was the source of the "fake outrage" from congress.

First, the AIG situation is frankly a non-starter. Aside from a hand full of people who received those bonuses and were actually REAL executives (they should not have accepted the bonuses), the rest were employees who were trying to wind down the businesses and were needed to get the job done. They could have easily left AIG and got jobs elsewhere because their skills are in demand, regardless of what the media has reported. These people are not all failures and my guess is that many of them are hardworking extremely competent and highly skilled at what they do. They do not set company policy, they just execute it. And for doing the job they were asked to do, they should be paid. Pure and simple.

Congress on the other hand is a pathetic bunch of incompetent fools. Their first problem is that every one of them who voted for the stimulus voted to allow these bonuses. The approval was explicitly placed by Chris Dodd and held in the combined legislation by Harry Reid. And the language placed in the bill is clearly quid pro quo for Dodd and should be investigated. NOT ONE member of congress read the bill. NOT ONE! So their outrage is just a cover up for the GROSS INCOMPETENCE!

And the bill to tax bonuses for people who work for entities that the government bailed out? Okay. That's a lot more than AIG. That would include all of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. And if we are retroactive to last year, lets go all the way back to when the crimes actually occurred. Franklin Raines and Jamie Gorelick received a bonus of close to 4 million in bonuses after the organization lost 200 million dollars. But then we would probably have to indict Barney Frank who presided over that mess and assured its continuity. And we also have to look the other way there because otherwise we would have to ask why Frank, Dodd and Obama received the three highest donations from Freddie and Fannie.

The government needs these bailed out organizations to succeed. Our money as taxpayers will only be paid back if these companies return to profitability and pay the money back. And driving their employees away is not going to accomplish that goal. That is why it is asinine to demonize all of the loyal employees desperately trying to turn these organizations around. I wonder if congress is prepared to eliminate bonuses for union employees and retirees at GM? They are bailed out companies as well as AIG and should be held to the same standard.

If Congress wants to get outraged, try some of these:

- Congressman Jack Murtha (D-PA) embroiled in a scandal regarding earmarks to the tune of 300 million dollars (2 times the AIG bonuses)
- AIG paid 90 billion dollars to foreign banks (why weren't we told?)
- Both Bush and Obama administration have no accountability for stimulus funds-WHY?
- Just under 8,000 earmarks in the budget bill. Where is the outrage?
- Senior level Democrat nominees that all have one thing in common. They don't pay taxes! Why?

Congress needs to grow up and stop politicizing the small things and start concentrating on the big things.

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NJ Tea Party Locations!

UPDATE: All Tea Party information will be updated on the sidebar -->
instead of being updated below. After April 15, 2009, that information will be moved to this post. If I keep on top of things, anyway.

I guess when you coin your blog NJ Tax Revolution, folks who are looking for the beginnings of the real thing look here first to find out what is going on. While we didn't come up with the Tea Party idea, we certainly support it. Several readers have inquired as to where they can attend one of these events. We will try to keep up with these events moving forward for those who would like to show up and demonstrate their feelings about the irresponsible handling of our taxpayer money.

There are currently three events of which I am aware for NJ coming up. All three events are on April 15.

Newark
At Senator Lautenberg and Menendez' office building
Gateway Center One, 782 McCarter Highway
12:00 PM

Trenton
New Jersey State House
125 W. State St.
11:30 - 4:00

Morristown
Location TBD
9:00AM to 12:00PM

We will update this list as further information develops.

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Corzine's (and the Democrat's) Budget Problem

Jon Corzine just submitted his version of a budget this week with apparent lukewarm support only from his Democrat cronies in the legislature. This budget is likely to dramatically decrease Corzine's approval in the state due to the dire situation of the state's finances. Corzine in his budget address on March 10 claimed that he is a champion of cutting the budget:

To that purpose, the budget I am proposing for FY 2010 totals $29.8 billion - that's $1 billion less than the first budget I presented in 2006. Stop and think about it, since 1947, every governor before me has grown spending over their four years.

With this proposal, we will have reduced spending two years in a row and will literally spend less than in the first budget I presented in 2006. This isn't a matter of debate or nuance. It's a fact.

Let's examine this statement. He compared his drop in spending to the budget he submitted in 2006. For those of you who believe that facts should trump malarkey (I used that word in preparation for St Patrick's Day), here is the budget statement for the budget he submitted in 2006:

Governor Jon S. Corzine’s proposed Fiscal 2007
Budget seeks to restore fiscal integrity to the State
of New Jersey. This $30.9 billion Budget is an
important first step in a multi-year process to
reestablish prudent fiscal management. A
fundamental principle reflected throughout this
Budget is that we, as a State, must pay the bills for
the current operations of State government. We
cannot continue to defer the costs of our decisions
to future generations, or even until next year. This
simple practice of matching current expenditures
with current revenues has been missing from State
budgets for too long.

So, truth check one is on track. But what about the budget that acting Governor Codey submitted in 2006? Shouldn't that have some relevance on "Governor Spending Cut"? This is from the Budget brief for 2006:

Acting Governor Codey’s $27.4 billion proposed Fiscal
2006 Budget is an honest and responsible budget that
has State government living within its means and meets
the challenge of reining in government spending while
at the same time not recommending any increase in the
sales tax or income tax rates. Despite nearly a billion
dollars in increases for mandatory entitlements, the
proposed budget is $614 million, or 2.2%, below the
$28 billion budget enacted in fiscal 2005. In contrast,
the Fiscal 2005 Budget actually increased spending by
17% from the year before. In fact, the reduction
proposed for fiscal 2006 is the largest spending cut in
State history, both on a percentage basis and in its
amount.

So the real facts are that Governor Corzine is proposing spending 2.4 Billion dollars more than the budget that Codey submitted before he became Governor. And those were much better times than today. So Corzine while claiming the mantle of a spendthrift, is lying through his teeth. He raised spending 3 billion dollars his first year in office and now pats himself on the back for not getting anywhere near what Codey did as temporary Governor the year before he took office. I cannot consider this rhetoric or nuance, Mr Governor. You are dishonest.

Another dishonest portrayal is the claims about how the prior Republican Governor ran the state into the ground. Here is Christie Todd Whitman's final budget brief:

The total budget recommended by the Governor for
fiscal 2001 is $21.253 billion, an increase of $1.278
billion, or 6.4%, over the current year. Over the
seven budgets of the Whitman Administration, the
annual growth in appropriations has averaged 4.5%.
This compares to 6.3% in the prior administration.

Let's summarize what we have gotten from Corzine and McGreevey and their Democratic counterparts. Budgets that have grown from 21.2 billion dollars to 30 billion dollars. That represents growing the budget of this state 150% in the 8 years they have been in office. Our taxes are out of control and the only thing that has grown in the state are corruption arrests for New Jersey politicians (mostly Democrats) and the state workforce.

This Governor and legislature could have made an effort to get spending under control. They could have created a rainy day fund in good times to protect the state from economic downturn. They could have exhibited at least a semblance of fiscal self control. But they haven't. And we continue to pay for it.

And now, as the Governor tries to claim that flat lining spending increases will balance a budget devastated by the personal misfortune of many Wall Street "Rich People" that Corzine likes to point to when he is ginning up his class warfare act, he is being dishonest once again. And guess who is going to pay the price?

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Obama - The Earmark King!

During the campaign last year, candidate Obama insisted that the would not sign earmark loaded legislation if it came across his desk. He promised hope. And he promised change. From the AP:

President Barack Obama plans to sign a massive spending bill to keep the federal government running, but he is cracking down on lawmakers' penchant for stuffing such legislation with billions of dollars in pet projects.

Apparently, the 8,600 earmarks(Taxpayers for Common Sense) in the budget bill are not really earmarks. Just as the trillion dollars of pork in the stimulus was not earmarks either. But wait, the Obama team has a new spin(from Yahoo):

Orszag said: "We want to just move on. Let's get this bill done, get it into law and move forward."

Said Emanuel: "That's last year's business."

Let's examine this. Allegedly, voters picked change. The only change in this budget is that former President Bush would not sign it. So the Democrat congress held it over until President Obama took office. And he signed. Earmarks and all.

Change you can believe in.

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Tax Tea Party Movement Growing!

(photo from Instapundit)

I have avoided writing on this as many other bloggers have been taking the ball on organizing that advertising Tax Tea Parties all over the countrty. There have been significant events in Kansas, Denver, Seattle, Chicago and DC in the past two weeks. It has been enjoyable to watch but it really seems to be building.

From Michelle Malkin:

Seattle on Monday. Denver on Tuesday. Mesa AZ on Wednesday. Overland Park, Kansas today. What a week, huh? We got the anti-stimulus, anti-entitlement protest ball rolling — and now the movement, spurred further by CNBC host Rick Santelli’s call for a “Chicago Tea Party,” is really taking off.

David Hogberg at Investor’s Business Daily has a nice piece out today spotlighting the growing taxpayer revolt the rest of the MSM won’t cover. He interviewed our registered commenters Liberty Belle Keli Carender, who spearheaded the Seattle anti-pork protest, and HuskerGirl Amanda Grosserode, who organized today’s anti-stimulus demonstration against Democrat Rep. Dennis Moore in Overland Park, KS.

Read the entire post by Michelle here. If this thought has crossed your mind, you will not be disappointed following these links. I would also recommend Instapundit's coverage of some of these events including some awesome pics!

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NJ Supreme Court considering wants higher taxes!

Once again the NJ Supreme Court, an entity that reports to no one and is filled with partisan political appointee (by definition) has decided to review whether or not recent developments with the budget need tinkering(from Philly.com):

If New Jersey wants the state's highest court to approve its new formula for funding its schools, the state needs to show that it is providing sufficient resources for its poorest districts, according to a ruling released yesterday.

The New Jersey Supreme Court ordered fact-finding hearings on the state's new education-funding formula before the justices will rule on whether it should permanently replace the old system that favored certain largely poor, urban school districts.

What is incredible about this interference on reasonable legislative change, is that NJ spending for poor districts is already in the top 5 of all states. So if the Supreme Court wants to get involved, they clearly want to promote further a concerted attack on the working class family in this state through higher taxes. It gets a little disgusting when "poor districts" in this state continue to plead for more money when every other district than a "poor district" (or Abbott district by definition from the court) have to raise taxes on a yearly basis to just keep up while the state robs money to pay for corruption in the Abbott districts.

At the current rate, we will all represent Abbott districts and the Supreme Court can dictate that we all need more money. No matter what happens, this state will sooner or later realize that this group of political hacks should not continue to undermine our legislature and voters. We have a tricameral government for a reason. And it isn't to enrich corruption.

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State Government Vehicles Gone Wild! Report Offenders Here!

I have blogged in the past about the habit of this state to distribute vehicles to state workers like candy at Halloween. Except, at least I get to decide whether or not I want to pay for and distribute the candy myself. In this case, the state takes money from us and gives out autos for no apparent reason to people in roles that clearly do not require them.

For the record, if you work in a public safety role and are on call 24 hours a day, you deserve and should have a state vehicle. If you are driving to work to say, the state NJDEP, you shouldn't have a state paid for vehicle.

Tonight, on the way home I was passed by a state vehicle on route 206 at at least 70 miles per hour. The vehicle was weaving in and out of traffic and clearly had no state purpose. That vehicle's license plate number was SG28164. Watch out for this person.

Have you seen a state vehicle that you question why the driver is even provided this perk? Send in the license plate and we will make it public. We are paying for it so why not advertise it.

Wonder if a car is a state or state paid for vehicle? Follow this link to get beyond the "SG" obvious offender.

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