With the almost universal rejection of Gov. Corzine's plan to raise tolls by up to 800 percent, few who attended a forum Thursday led by two harsh critics of the proposal thought the session was going to be a love fest.
But of the more than 100 people who came to Mahala F. Atchison Elementary School for the two-hour session — led by state Sen. Jennifer Beck and Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, both R-Monmouth — several said they came searching for better solutions to the state's budget crunch.
Veronica Cozzi, a borough resident, wanted to know why the state couldn't sell New Jersey's horse racing tracks to private corporations. And Christopher Cast, also a borough resident, just wanted to know how he could continue to drive 40,000 miles a year on New Jersey's toll roads without going broke trying to make a living.
Beck and O'Scanlon said they have a solution: no increase in the state budget this year, make cuts in future budgets and restructure the way government business is done.
"If we do these three things, we think, we're going to come real close to solving our problems," O'Scanlon said.
In a presentation lasting about an hour, the lawmakers outlined their plan, which includes a two-thirds reduction in 1,300 "non-essential, political personnel" from the state's payrolls. That move would save an estimated $50 million, they said.
Beck and O'Scanlon also propose eliminating cost-of-living pay increases for state workers making more than $80,000, for an estimated savings of $116 million, and eliminating a sick leave injury program for state workers. Beck called the program redundant because those employees already are covered by worker's compensation laws. That move would save $2.5 million, according to the proposal.
Pension reforms
Beck and O'Scanlon also propose radical changes to the state pension system, such as eliminating benefits for part-time employees and allowing full-time employees to receive a pension from only one job. The pair estimated savings from those reforms could put $4 billion back into the state's coffers.
It was a message that was well received by those who attended.
"I think you're right on the mark with the spending cuts," said Duane Morrill, a Tinton Falls councilman, echoing the remarks of many who addressed the legislators. "We're all trying to do more with less. Why can't Trenton?"
Corzine wants to raise tolls to cut the state debt in half and fund transportation projects.
The governor's plan calls for forming a public benefit corporation to run the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike and Atlantic City Expressway. The corporation would increase tolls up to 800 percent, according to a schedule that would allow the state to borrow between $32 billion and $38 billion against toll revenue.
Of that, $16 billion will be used to pay off half the state debt and the rest to fund transportation projects and replenish the transportation trust fund, which runs out of money in 2011.
Corzine offered toll discounts of 20 to 25 percent for frequent drivers, funding commuter rail service to interior Ocean and Monmouth counties and widening and upgrading Route 9 as benefits.
"It will kill me," Cozzi said. "It'll hurt. It really will."
Zero support
But Bob Kelly of Oceanport isn't worried. With the entire Republican minority in the Legislature against the plan and no Democrats so far casting their lots with Corzine, the plan is nearly dead already, he said.
"The governor's plan is going to flop, flat out," Kelly said. "It's going to fail."
Earlier this week, both the Tinton Falls Board of Education and the Borough Council passed resolutions opposing Corzine's toll plan, adding to a growing number of municipalities lining up against it.
"The state needs to stop coming up with creative ways to tax us and start looking for new ways to cut spending," said Council President Michael Skudera during the forum.
Some lawmakers have suggested lesser toll increases, gasoline tax increases, massive spending cuts and not paying off state debt with toll money.
Cast, who spends a good amount of time on New Jersey's toll roads for his job, said the jury is still out on the plan outlined by Beck and O'Scanlon. But they were on the right track.
"If it involves cutting spending, I'm for it," Cast said.
NEXT TOWN HALLS:
Wed. Feb27th:
Hightstown HS 7:30 - 9:30
25 Leshin Lane, Hightstown NJ 08520
Tues Mar 4th:
Freehold Twp Senior Center 7:00 - 9:00
116 Jackson Mills Road, 07728
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