Revised 10/8/06
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New Jersey's budget problems
We see the headlines:
We know N.J. is short on cash right now. And the question is:
Is now a good time to remove the tolls?
Our answer to that is a resounding...
YES - It's always a good time to stop wasting money!
Actually, it might even make more sense now because the reason NJ has less money is because WE have less money, since that's where they get it. And we simply can't afford to keep feeding the...
Plus it's always a good time to reduce accidents, congestion, pollution, and aggravation.
If not now, WHEN?
NJ had several prosperous years under former Governor Whitman, and all we got were expensive new tolls (E-ZPass). Now we are in a less prosperous economy, and guess what? Governor McGreevey wants even more expensive new tolls (High-Speed E-ZPass) - even though he hasn't figured out how to pay for the old, new tolls yet!
How is it that Governor McGreevey can say he has no money for so many things (including removing the tolls) on one hand, and increase Whitman's "sweetheart" E-ZPass contract AND talk about spending even more on high-speed E-ZPass on the other hand? Why is there always enough money for new tolls?
Tolls are nothing more than a cookie jar, pot of gold, or golden trough to politicians. As long as we keep filling it, they will come. And since they can't act responsibly, we must.
Of course, this will force them to find another way to pay for the Parkway (Hint - in the same FAIR way we pay for the 34,000 miles of toll-free roads in NJ). This waste must stop - ESPECIALLY because of the bad economy. We can't afford to keep wasting so much on such a small percentage of our roads.
Dear Governor Corzine,
We understand NJ's budget woes. But if not now, WHEN? The last several years saw a strong economy, yet all we got were new tolls and more debt. And now you're threatening to do the exact same thing in a weak economy. Please don't make the same mistakes as your predecessor.
Don't forget, if you have less money, it's only because WE have less money, so we must both work toward ending waste. Tolls waste a lot, and removing them would be the best money we ever SAVED.
But more than that it's still a question of right and wrong - not only about wasting money, but also about accidents, congestion, pollution, road rage, and unfair double taxation. Please listen to us. Please don't bow to special interests. PLEASE DON'T BE WRONG.
Sincerely,
Citizens Against Tolls
