|
TRENTON “corruption”
McHose blasts Gov.
Corzine and Dems for poor business forecast and corruption
By Richard Johnston
MOUNT OLIVE (11/30/07) –
Unless one sits in a
legislative chamber as a member of the minority party it’s difficult
to understand the frustration a committed and dedicated legislator
experiences.
Today Assemblywoman
Allison Littell McHose (R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon) lashed out
at Gov. Corzine and the Democratic legislative leadership’s “lack of
sound fiscal policy,” “watered down ethics reforms,” and the
“rampant political corruption” that, according to a responsible
study, is costing this state more than a billion dollars a year.
“It’s another hidden tax” she said.
McHose was responding
to a study produced by the Prudential Business Ethics Center at
Rutgers University which concluded that political corruption in New
Jersey is tantamount to a “hidden tax” costing taxpayers $1 billion
each year.
McHose said another
report by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA)
shows that for the second straight year nearly half of the state’s
businesses are forecasting continued economic decline. According to
this report, she said, business conditions in the Garden State have
declined rapidly since 2005, falling close to recession levels.
“This should set off
alarms with residents that Governor Corzine and the Democratic
leadership's lack of sound fiscal policy and watered-down ethics
“reforms” are to blame for this appalling news.
“When will this
madness stop” she asked. “When will the Democrats wake up and face
reality? This state is on the cusp of bankruptcy,” she continued.
“This isn’t political rhetoric; it's a reality that corruption by
public officials negatively impacts the bottom line for New Jersey
taxpayers.”
“Corruption impacts all
taxpayers and is literally eating away at the very fabric of our
economy. The ripple-down effect is evident everywhere. Just consider
the state’s latest business forecast – it once again paints an
extremely dismal picture.”
“New Jersey taxpayers
pay the highest property taxes in the nation; our commuters are now
likely facing massive toll road hikes; a possible gas tax increase;
more debt with the governor’s undefined plan to sell roadways and
now the “corruption tax,” said an exasperated McHose,
She noted that during the past five years, nearly 200 public
officials, employees and contractors have been charged or found
guilty in public corruption investigations, including the indictment
this year of two State Senators, an ongoing federal probe of a
third, and the arrest of two Assemblymen, one of whom has pleaded
guilty.
|
