CORZINE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS DOING "SOMETHING ELSE"

Senator Sean Kean, (R-11), issued the following statement regarding reports on WOR this morning that Governor Jon Corzine is considering "pared down toll increases." The Governor stated that the discussion of higher tolls will be after the budget is complete."

"I am deeply troubled by Governor Corzine's remarks that he is still considering imposing higher tolls on New Jersey's working families. His original proposal was so bad that it was rejected out of hand. I believe that his new proposal will suffer the same fate.

"In a $33 billion budget, there has to be $1 billion for transportation improvements that will benefit the entire state. Governor, quit looking for ways to expand our bloated state government to benefit special interests.

"Additionally, I am opposed to a hike in the gas tax. New Jersey businesses and residents cannot afford to pay any more for gas, especially with the price of gas approaching $4 a gallon.

"Increasing the gas tax coupled with increasing tolls will have severe financial consequences for New Jersey. The price of goods and services will increase, and working families and students will be forced to set aside more money from their strained budgets for commuting costs.

"As I have stated before, New Jersey must cut spending, not increase revenue. We need to pass serious pension and benefit reform measures, eliminate all political patronage positions and rein in funding for programs riddled with waste and corruption, not increase the tax burden on New Jersey residents."