PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -
Manasquan, NJ – April 14, 2008

"Roman mythology honored Janus, the 'two-faced' God. Here in NJ, it would seem we have a two-faced Governor who talks double talk," declared Ray Neveil, President of the grass roots watchdog group, Citizens Against Tolls (CAT.) "Our Governor feels that it is acceptable to balance NJ’s huge debt on the backs of toll-road users via his proposed financial restructuring 'plan'. Yet, when New York Mayor Blumberg proposed a toll increase for commuters entering the city below 62nd Street, NJ Governor Corzine cried, 'Foul!,' and pronounced it unfair for New Jersey residents," declared Neveil. "It doesn’t seem fair to want it both ways," continued Neveil. "If unwarranted and hefty toll hikes are unfair for New York City, then they are obviously unfair for New Jersey to charge as well. This is plain common sense, NOT double talk," said Neveil.

"We have been calling upon Governor Corzine to take balanced action to cure NJ’s financial woes," advised Neveil. "First and foremost, we’ve suggested spending cuts and a comprehensive, independent audit to target current waste and inefficiencies (such as have come to light recently with the "distressed cities programs.")  Secondly, an increase in the gas tax dedicated to infrastructure improvement and transportation projects, along with temporary increases in the existing state sales and income taxes should be put in place to reduce existing debt. Sales and income tax increases would be dedicated to debt reduction and would “sunset” when debt is sufficiently controlled. Such action balances the debt reduction on all New Jerseyans and not just users of toll roads. Tolls are the most inefficient of all taxes to collect," admonished Neveil. "We keep pointing this out to the Governor, but he has chosen to ignore this solution. Now, as the bond market goes haywire, Corzine’s 75-year proposal becomes even more impractical!" Neveil stated. "We again call upon Governor Corzine to abandon the double talk and adopt a clear, practical and common sense approach to freeing taxpayers from the harness of debt," concluded Neveil.

CONTACTS:
John Millett