Bob Martin: “Shirley Turner says one thing, votes another”

Senator Turner’s rhetoric does not match her voting record on Turnpike sale.

Ewing (November 1, 2007) – With five days until Election Day, Bob Martin, Republican State Senate candidate in the 15th district, continues to explain why he is the choice for change and Shirley Turner is more of the same. Turner recently placed an ad in the Princeton Town Topics claiming that she is against the sale or lease of the toll roads, but her voting record clearly states just the opposite.

Turner gave Governor Corzine a blank check to make way for the so-called “monetization” of state assets when she voted “yes” on S-3000 on June 21, 2007. The budget bill includes the following provision of taxpayer money to prepare for the monetization or lease of the toll roads:

75. There are appropriated such sums as may be necessary for legal and engineering fees, financial advisors and other consultants and services associated with, as well as any other costs determined necessary in preparation for, the monetization or lease of public assets, subject to the approval of the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting.

The bill enabled Corzine to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on consultants, engineers and financial firms to pave the way for the monetization or lease of the Turnpike and other state assets. Recent press reports place the amount spent so far at $4.6 million. The Governor has made it very clear that the preparation work is necessary because he fully intends to go forward with a plan, yet he refuses to allow taxpayers to see any of the studies or reports funded by their money.

“Shirley Turner says one thing but then votes the other way,” Martin said. “Today she claims to be against the sale or lease of New Jersey toll roads, yet she voted in favor of allocating taxpayer dollars to begin the process. If she truly opposes the sale of state assets, why didn’t she vote against that bill or use her leadership position to amend it?”

Despite Turner’s contradictory behavior, she used her Town Topics ad to call Martin a “liar” for pointing out her previous support of the selling of the toll roads.

“These are desperate claims by a legislator who knows change is coming on Election Day,” Martin said. “Residents of the 15th District have had enough of politicians who say one thing and then do the opposite, and they will express this when they vote next Tuesday.”

Martin continued, “I regret that Senator Turner is turning to desperate tactics this close to Election Day. From the beginning of my campaign, I have declined to attack her personally and have consistently presented only the facts. But the fact is that she has not gotten the job done.”

As State Senator, Martin would have proposed an amendment to Budget Bill S-3000 striking the language of selling the toll roads from the budget. Martin would have also voted against the budget package if necessary to keep this provision from becoming law.

“As State Senator, my constituents will know where I stand, and my voting record will reflect my positions. Voters are tired of politicians who say one thing but then vote the opposite,” Marin concluded.