TOLL ROAD SALE TRAVESTY

TOLL ROAD SALE TRAVESTY
New Jersey Drivers Get a Swift Kick in their Assets Courtesy of the Democrats

            Senator Anthony R. Bucco (R-Morris) issued the following statement on the enactment of the Fiscal Year 2008 budget that authorizes the first steps in the selling of New Jersey’s toll roads.

            “Fifty Democrat Assembly members and 22 Democrat Senators have enabled the Corzine Administration to embark on the most fiscally imprudent budget scheme in State history.  Unfortunately for them, the language that authorizes the toll road sale contained in section 75 of the appropriations act -- which the governor could have line-item vetoed, but did not -- has foiled their plan to keep this dangerous plot a secret until after the November elections.

            “I find it remarkable that once their plan was exposed, that the Trenton Democrats have decided to run away from the votes that they have cast in the State House.  Now, they argue ‘forget about what I did, focus instead on what I say’ in the desperate hope that spin will outweigh substance.

            “It should be clear to the voters of this State that by enacting this budget, the Legislature has put New Jersey on a path to sell off the toll roads and steer us into an era of annual toll increases that will last for decades into the future.  This plan will hurt our economy, raise the cost

 of goods and services, make New Jersey businesses less competitive and, worst of all, further increase the cost of living for our already over-taxed residents.

            “Apparently 94 tax increases over the last five years wasn’t enough; now we have to push through the biggest toll increases in history in order to get a windfall that will be promptly frittered away by politicians in Trenton.  The Democrats might be happy to squeeze more money out of our residents by raising tolls, but it won’t do them a bit of good if people are paying them as they use the turnpike to flee the State.”