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Representative articles from October 11 2005 101.5 Gubernatorial debate and related comments on gubernatorial candidates positions on public schools re: October 5, 2005 Press Briefing by Reock Ad Hoc School Finance Group.
Corzine vow: No gas tax hike
Forrester pushes property plan in rivals' joint radio appearance
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
BY DEBORAH HOWLETT AND JOSH MARGOLIN
Star-Ledger Staff
Anyone who tuned in to New Jersey 101.5 FM last night expecting shock-jock fireworks or the regularly scheduled "Passion Phones" probably flipped the dial and missed what turned out to be a substantive and sometimes sharp debate between the leading candidates for governor.
Democrat Jon Corzine said flatly he would not raise taxes on gasoline, a revision of his earlier statement that he would not take the idea off the table. He also leveled his harshest criticism ever of the scandal-racked administration of former Gov. James McGreevey, saying "Jim McGreevey failed as governor."
Republican Doug Forrester hammered away at his property tax relief plan, offering a 30 percent credit over three years, and said he would consider cutting state support for public broadcasting in
The candidates both said that as governor they would legalize the medical use of marijuana, oppose the use of eminent domain for economic development, increase benefits to veterans returning from service in
It was a rare face-to-face meeting between the two, and perhaps the first time voters got to hear them in a back-and-forth exchange during the campaign. Both candidates declared victory afterward -- Forrester in a press release issued minutes after the debate ended.
Compared with the NJN television debate Sept. 20, the radio encounter offered a more populist audience and an edgier format. Eric Scott, the station's news director, moderated the 90-minute exchange, leaving most of the questions to callers or e-mailers, but pressing the candidates with follow-ups aimed at getting beyond the usual campaign sound bites.
The broadcast used a seven-second delay, but there was no need for bleeping -- the callers' questions were informed and targeted at the major issues of the campaign.
The candidates, who had spent two hours earlier in the day in a low-key discussion of policy in front of editorial writers for all seven Gannett New
Outside the
Shock jock Craig Carton and sidekick Ray Rossi hosted a "pre-game show," replete with music sampled from the Monday Night Football theme, which included debate pre-spin. Forrester bought air time for a negative anti-Corzine ad on Carton and Rossi's "Jersey Guys" show prior to the debate.
That irreverence, however, quickly slipped away as callers focused on property taxes, government budget issues, school finance and public workers' pensions.
Forrester got in a few practiced one-liners. He pledged to "put the trust back in trust funds," saying he would stop "skimming" from the Transportation Trust Fund that bankrolls highway and road work. Corzine said he would look at "securitizing" -- or borrowing against -- toll collections to boost the sagging fund.
Corzine said he would reduce political appointees in state government by half; Forrester said he would get rid of them all. Both said they would restore state worker pension funds.
Forrester said the money for fully funding pensions would come from cleaning up abuses of the system. Corzine said he would go further, making required state payments to the fund and investing that money so that the "power of compound interest" could restore it to required levels.
Corzine and Forrester then had an opportunity to ask questions of each other. That brought some of the sharpest exchanges -- though each candidate's "questions" were more along the lines of statements.
Corzine said Forrester's prescription drug management company, BeneCard, pocketed rebates on drug purchases rather than passing them along to his clients, including more than 100 mostly local government entities. Forrester said his clients got the discounted prescriptions they were promised, and said the issue was a distraction: "We need to focus on the needs of
Forrester grilled Corzine about his appearance last year at the Democratic National Convention, where he praised McGreevey just days before the then-governor announced his resignation.
"First of all, you know I was standing up at a political event. It is perfectly reasonable, just as you stand with George Bush, Dick Cheney and Karl Rove and say they are great Americans," Corzine said. But he added of McGreevey: "On balance, his was a failed governorship."
The criticism hardly satisfied the Forrester camp.
Larry Weitzner, a top Forrester adviser, called Corzine's assessment of McGreevey "a year late and billions of dollars in higher taxes short."
The candidates' next, and last, debate is scheduled for next Tuesday at the
Deborah Howlett and Josh Margolin cover politics. Howlett may be reached at (609) 989-0273 or dhowlett@starledger.com. Margolin may be reached at (609) 989-0267 or jmargolin@starledger.com.
Gannett article 10-12-05:
Corzine, Forrester spar over changes for state
By
Taking on two of the state's most pressing financial questions, Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine said he would borrow against toll road revenues to pay for transportation projects if he is elected governor and encourage consolidation of small school districts.
Republican Doug Forrester said he also favors school consolidation but that it would have to wait until a second term because he plans to focus on ethics reform and property tax relief in his first four years.
And Forrester said the state's $1.2 billion-a-year Transportation Trust Fund would have to be paid for with general state revenues, even though his tax relief plan already promises to consume a significant portion of state government spending.
The two candidates sparred on these issues as well as property taxes, eminent domain, the pension system and government ethics in a two-hour meeting with Gannett New Jersey Newspaper Group editorial board members at the Home News Tribune's office.
In a debate that featured feisty exchanges in which the sometimes staid candidates directly confronted one another on their statements, the two also touched on plans for redeveloping Petty's
Both candidates said they have ruled out raising the gas tax, leaving open the question of how to raise money for the Transportation Trust Fund, which helps finance projects on roads, railways and bridges and attracts about $1.3 billion of federal aid.
Before gas prices spiked this year, there was wide speculation that the gas tax would be raised to help pay for the fund, which starting in July will be nearly all used to repay past debts but is still needed to ease traffic congestion.
"The short-term solution is to move the securitization of tolls so that we have the money to match federal trust fund dollars," Corzine said.
Borrowing plan
The New Jersey Turnpike and
Forrester opposed selling those state assets.
"It is going to have to come out of the general revenue," Forrester said.
Money for the trust fund would be in addition to at least $3.2 billion per year Forrester said his property tax relief plan will cost once it is fully implemented in his third year in office.
Corzine estimates Forrester's plan will cost more than $5 billion a year when fully implemented and questioned how the state can support local services -- the cost of which contribute to property taxes -- if Forrester's plan is realized.
The state has a $28 billion budget, but only about $7.5 billion goes to state government operations. The rest goes to local governments to help keep property taxes down or to other grant programs.
"There won't be any state aid if we don't manage our budget in a way that we husband resources that we can do more than just provide property tax relief," Corzine said.
Bloated budgets
Forrester, however, said recent budgets have been bloated and touted his plan to credit 30 percent of homeowners' property tax bills as one that "people can do the math and have the confidence that they're going to get."
"There's a fine need for overall tax relief," Forrester said.
Corzine has pledged to increase property tax rebates by 10 percent a year for four years from the 2004 rebate levels. (This year's rebates were reduced.) He has said his plan, which is less generous than Forrester's, will leave money for other priorities.
As a way to control school costs, which are the main component of property tax bills, Corzine said he would "look at" consolidating small school districts as a way to save money and reduce tax needs.
"If we actually use the state budget to encourage that, we will actually be able to bring it (taxes) down," Corzine said.
He said property taxes have risen faster than Forrester estimates and will lead to greater costs.
Forrester said his property tax relief plan will give state lawmakers incentives to keep school spending caps in place and control local budgets because state spending will be tied directly to local spending.
"Part of the reason for (rising property taxes) is because the Legislature is all too willing to shoot the caps full of holes like Swiss cheese," Forrester said. "But if they have skin in the game . . . that is going to have a big impact on their willingness to" loosen caps.
Lawmakers, however, have already expressed an interest in easing some caps put in place last year, and Corzine said items such as pension costs and energy bills are likely to exceed the state's limits.
Common ground
On another issue crucial to homeowners, eminent domain, both candidates said they oppose a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing the government to take away homes for private development.
Corzine said he would use an executive order to curb the Kelo v.
Forrester has a task force in place to study changes to eminent domain laws to prevent abuses, which he said are tied to a culture in which developers who contribute to politicians get cozy deals from local governments.
Forrester, noting Corzine's donations to some of the state's most powerful political power brokers, said change is needed to create real reform.
"We need a change at the top to be able to muscle this thing through," Forrester said.
Corzine, however, said ethics lapses are a "bipartisan problem."
"We have a culture of people who look to government as a way to make money," Corzine said. "Whoever is the next governor has got to take this on tooth and nail, and I intend to do it."
He pledged to use an executive order and expend "political capital" to make ethics reform a reality.
In a statement tied to ethics reform and possibly distancing himself from one notorious political boss, Corzine said he would consult with Republican U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie, who has made a reputation as a corruption buster, when he appoints his attorney general, if he is elected.
Corzine flatly said he would not appoint Sen. John Adler, D-Cherry Hill, to the post as the state's top law enforcement man. Adler, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has been associated with
"John Adler will not be my attorney general," Corzine said. "We will pick the very best individual with the skills to make sure we carry out an executive order to clean up politics in this state."
Pension abuses
Both candidates linked ethics reforms to the state's pension system, saying they would crack down on pension abuses and prevent giving full pension benefits to part-time government employees.
Both also said the state must resume its contributions to the system. Contributions were suspended for years as stocks boomed and the state relied on investment gains from borrowed money, but now the system's debts are growing, leading to massive amounts owed in upcoming budgets.
"We have not put our dollars into that system and the power of compounding interest is working against us," Corzine said.
Corzine said he would "seriously examine" creating a two-tiered system in which new public employees have different benefits from existing ones, but said contracts that have already been signed must be honored so that current employees get what was promised.
Forrester said he opposes a two-tiered system but would consider a "hybrid" pension plan.
"We need to be very careful about the design of our pension plan," said Forrester, who served as pension director in the 1980s under Gov. Thomas H. Kean. "If we foul this up, we are not going to be able to recruit and retain" workers.
Corzine, as he has several times previously in the campaign, refused to take an unequivocal "no new taxes pledge," dismissing such promises as "grandstanding."
"I don't think we have to raise taxes," Corzine said, adding he hopes economic growth in
Forrester said businesses need to hear that their taxes will not increase.
"This is a message about how government is going to run, and it's a message that has to be sent now," he said.
Reach Jonathan Tamari at jtamari@gannett.com
Published: October 12. 2005 3:00AM
Forrester, Corzine tout reforms in radio faceoff
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
By TOM HESTER JR.
Staff Writer
Jostling, tussling and sniping a month before voters decide who will lead New Jersey, Republican Douglas Forrester and Democrat Jon Corzine last night tried to convince voters their ethics reforms and property tax relief plans were best for New Jersey.
Meeting in their second public gubernatorial debate, Corzine and Forrester faced callers on a talk radio station, belittled each other's proposals and touted their ideas for government reform, property tax relief and transportation.
The two major party candidates stuck to well-honed themes, though Corzine mentioned a new idea - using toll revenue to help borrow money to pay for transportation projects.
"I have the vision, the plans, demonstrated competency and integrity to deliver," said Corzine, a
Said Forrester, a former West Windsor mayor, "We need change at the top and we need change in the cast of characters that have been running
Last night's debate was the second public face-to-face meeting between Corzine and Forrester, but the first since Corzine lost a double-digit lead in numerous polls. Forrester closed the gap in recent weeks, with a poll released yesterday by
The candidates, who have been unloading negative ads upon each other in recent days, sparred last night on New Jersey 101.5 FM radio and other Millennium radio stations. The hopefuls took questions from the station's Eric Scott and from callers. They also asked each other questions.
Corzine touted his plans for ethics, property tax relief, affordable higher education and health care and improved public schools.
Forrester stuck to his favorite topics - slashing the state's highest-in-the-nation property taxes by forcing the state to pay 30 percent of the property taxes on each primary home within three years and reforming government ethics.
When asked by a caller about a proposal to ban smoking in restaurants and other public places, Forrester said such a decision should be left to individual businesses.
"I believe we are all better off if we go down that path," Forrester said.
Corzine said he favored the ban.
"We ought to do what is in the best interests of the public health and safety," Corzine said.
When asked how they would replenish the state's vital Transportation Trust Fund, which is scheduled to run dry next year but is used to pay for statewide transportation projects, Forrester said he would ensure money in the fund is used only for transportation work.
"I'm going to put the trust back in trust fund," Forrester said.
-- -- --
Corzine suggested borrowing money that would be secured by toll money from the Turnpike and Parkway to help match federal dollars to pay for transportation work, a new idea that Corzine called "feasible." Forrester raised concerns about borrowing, citing high state debt and downgraded state credit ratings.
Forrester again vowed not to increase the gasoline tax to restore the fund. Corzine has previously refused to rule out a gas tax increase, but last night vowed he wouldn't increase it and proposed a federal gas tax break.
When asked about using property taxes to fund public education, Corzine said the system was "outdated" and should be changed. He cited his plan for a constitutional convention that would consider property tax reform. He also touted his proposal to boost rebates 10 percent per year for four years and, once technology is available, turn it into a property tax bill credit.
Forrester cited his so-called 30-in-3 property tax plan as the solution.
"That's, I think, the pathway that I think we need to go," Forrester said.
But Corzine recalled independent and Republican criticism of Forrester's plan, alleging it would cost as much as $9 billion and "blow a hole" in the budget.
"This is out of touch with reality," Corzine said.
Forrester criticized the convention plan, which he called "punting."
"That's why I'm pressing the 30-in-3 plan," Forrester said, repeating his oft-stated description of Corzine's proposal as a "lame rebate program."
Corzine said senior citizens who recently received a $1,200 rebate likely don't consider rebates "lame" and later asked Forrester to explain Republican criticism of his plan. Forrester said critics such as Steve Forbes had political motivations or haven't examined his proposal.
"We need the 30-in-3 plan now," Forrester said.
Corzine said his rebate plan is "current, practical and doable and still allows us to fund our education system, fund our health-care system and support our police and firefighters."
Forrester, when asked about the state's troubled public employment pension and retirement system, cited his experience working on pensions in Treasury for Gov. Tom Kean and said his ethics reform plans would help restore integrity to the system.
He proposed other reforms designed to protect pension funds when gubernatorial administrations change and bar part-timers from "cobbling together pensions."
"We have to take the big fish out of the pond that are ruining it for everybody and protect the little fish," Forrester said.
-- -- --
Corzine blamed pension liabilities on the Republican Whitman administration and said the state needs to accept its responsibility to pay into the pension system, a move he said would pay off when that money earns interest. He also proposed diversifying the state pension portfolio, a move opposed by public employee unions and Forrester who said such a move would be prone to "mischief."
"I am prepared to think about new employees coming into the system being treated differently," Corzine said, vowing to bar government workers from boosting pensions by taking multiple jobs.
Forrester touted tort reform as a solution to auto insurance costs. He didn't elaborate, but such reform typically means limiting jury awards to those involved in accidents.
Corzine mentioned new state laws that have drawn more insurance companies into the state and vowed stricter fraud enforcement. He said lawsuit reform is "a speech that George Bush gives everyday" that doesn't solve insurance costs. Forrester disagreed.
"It does work," Forrester said. "We need to bring those kinds of restraints to
Asked to identify their weaknesses, Forrester cited an occasional failure to convey his passion for
When asked to praise their opponent, Corzine hailed Forrester's desire to serve the public in elected office, while Forrester lauded Corzine's charitable donations.
When it came time to ask each other questions, Forrester cited Corzine's ties to Democratic Party bosses and challenged him to explain how he will be "unbossed."
"Mr. Corzine has supported the people and policies over the last five years that have taken us down the wrong path," Forrester said.
Corzine responded by citing Forrester's business ties with South Jersey Democratic Party boss George Norcross and his own fight with a Bergen County Democrat Party boss over what he said was appointing more women to the Legislature.
Corzine then asked Forrester how he could oppose embryonic stem cell research considering scientists claim that's the best approach. Forrester said advancements have been made with adult stem cell research.
"I don't think I heard an answer," Corzine told Forrester.
-- -- --
Forrester asked Corzine about his proclaimed support for former Gov. James E. McGreevey, but Corzine said his praise came at a party convention, that McGreevey "failed" as governor and noted praise Forrester has given to President Bush and his administration. He defended his McGreevey comments when asked whether they were "disingenuous."
Forrester cited his vow not to increase taxes as governor and noted Corzine hasn't taken such a vow.
"We cannot afford you, Jon," Forrester said.
Corzine said such a vow would be irresponsible, but that he didn't plan to increase taxes. He said Forrester has sided with ultra-conservative groups when criticizing his tax record.
Forrester never asked Corzine about the $470,000 gift he gave to former girlfriend and public employee union boss Carla Katz, but Corzine asked Forrester about allegations of wrongdoing levied against his businesses. Forrester defended his business practices and labeled the attacks politically motivated.
The candidates found agreement.
Corzine and Forrester said they would get rid of political appointees in state government.
They both said they would review the proposal for a new football stadium in the Meadowlands, expressing support and concern about various aspects of the project.
Both expressed support, under certain conditions, for allowing use of medical marijuana.
And both multimillionaires said they would decline salaries as governor, with Corzine saying he would accept only a $1 a year and Forrester promising to donate his salary to charity.
With the election set for Nov. 8, Forrester is slated to visit Scotch Plains today to campaign with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and attend a Republican Party fund raiser in
The next debate is scheduled for Tuesday at The College of New Jersey. Corzine and Forrester will be joined in that debate by Libertarian Party candidate Jeff Pawlowski and independent candidate Hector Castillo.
NOTE:
______________________________________________________________________________________
10-6-05 Abury Park Press (Gannett) & Press of Atlantic City articles
Neither Corzine nor Forrester say much about schools funding BY JONATHAN TAMARI GANNETT STATE BUREAU Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 10/6/05 [GSCS participated in press briefing noted in this Gannett article; the briefing was presented by the Ad Hoc School Finance Discussion Group, chaired by Mr. Ernest Reock.]
TRENTON — With skyrocketing property taxes ranking as the top election issue in many voters' minds, both candidates for governor have touted their plans to address a symptom of the problem — the annual bills — but neither has said much about changing one of the main causes of high taxes: funding for public schools.
*************************************************************
Voters support spending for college construction, poll shows By DIANE D'AMICO Education Writer, (609) 272-7241 Published: Thursday, October 6, 2005
Press of A.C.TRENTON-A majority of voters would support a $2.5 billion bond to fund construction at public colleges, but they might put building more elementary and high schools first.
Neither Corzine nor Forrester say much about schools funding
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 10/6/05
BY JONATHAN TAMARI
TRENTON — With skyrocketing property taxes ranking as the top election issue in many voters' minds, both candidates for governor have touted their plans to address a symptom of the problem — the annual bills — but neither has said much about changing one of the main causes of high taxes: funding for public schools.
Lawmakers, state policy makers and advocates on all sides of the issue say a change is needed, and probably near, but neither Democrat Jon S. Corzine nor Republican Doug Forrester has said much about the sticky problem of school funding, which has often pit money for education against rising taxes.
The issue ties into taxes because schools are mainly paid for by local property taxes. With a handful of poor, urban schools receiving the majority of state aid in recent years, other districts complain of being left out and facing higher tax burdens.
"It's an extremely complicated, complex issue probably requiring a lot more money," said Melvin L. Wyns, the former director of school funding for the state Department of Education.
He was one of several speakers who laid out the questions surrounding school funding at a briefing Wednesday hosted by scholars and advocates on the issue.
"Within the near future, attention almost certainly again will be directed toward the creation of a more comprehensive system," said Herbert Green, executive director of the Public Education Institute.
In results released last week from the Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll, 26 percent of voters said property taxes are the issue not being adequately addressed they want to hear more about. Twelve percent named education or schools.
But neither campaign has proposed a way to change the funding system.
Corzine, in a statement issued by his campaign, said he supports the underlying principle of the Abbott v. Burke rulings by the state Supreme Court, which have led to increased funding and improved programs for 31 poor, urban school districts.
"A child's ZIP code should not determine the quality of their education," Corzine said in a statement. "I also believe we ought to review all aspects of Abbott implementation on an ongoing basis to make sure we are meeting the needs of our children."
Corzine's campaign would not comment on specific questions about altering the state's school funding formula, which has been ignored for years.
Forrester spokeswoman Sherry Sylvester said the formula needs "more evaluation." Forrester wants to see more efficient use of school money in urban areas, she said, but also did not provide specifics.
"In many of our schools, particularly in urban areas, we're not providing the kind of education we want to be providing," Sylvester said.
The question of education quality and costs also goes to school construction. The state Schools Construction Corp. has spent $8.6 billion of construction money faster than expected and many projects remain undone. Advocates for both Abbott and other districts said Wednesday that more work — and money — is needed.
Both candidates said the state should fulfill its promises to districts that expect financial support.
Forrester would scrap the SCC entirely and seek voter approval for more money for the projects, Sylvester said. Corzine said he would reform the agency and subject it to audits, but his campaign would not say where money for additional projects would come from.
In recent years the state has ignored its own school funding law, and property tax levies per pupil have shot up in all areas except in the so-called "Abbott" districts,according to Rutgers University Professor Emeritus Ernest C. Reock Jr.
As state aid has been stagnant, lawmakers have carved out special designations for their own areas to get more money, leading to more disparities.
Earlier this year a narrowly crafted bill gave an additional $20 million to five school districts, and rural schools are also pressing the state for more aid.
"Whoever shouts the loudest and has enough political clout will have a state aid rule for their kind of district," Reock said.
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WHAT IT MEANS
The amount of state aid for public schools has a direct impact on property taxes. While Jon Corzine and Doug Forrester have detailed property-tax platforms, they have said far less about how they would fund K-12 education.
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REGISTRATION DEADLINE
The voter registration deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 11, for people to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 8 general election.
To register, a person must be a
Those seeking to register to vote must not be on parole, probation or serving a sentence for conviction on an indictable offense under state or federal law.
Residents may register to vote in person, with their municipal clerk or county commissioner of registration, or by mail. Registration forms can be found online at www.njelections.org, at Motor Vehicle Commission agencies or at other state offices.
Jonathan Tamari: jtamari@gannett.com
________________________________________________________________________
10-06-05 The Press of
Voters support spending for college construction, poll shows
By DIANE D'AMICO Education Writer, (609) 272-7241
Published: Thursday, October 6, 2005
Updated: Thursday, October 6, 2005
Education placed third, below property taxes and corruption as the primary issues facing
The telephone poll of 770 likely voters was conducted Sept. 20. It indicates that while voters believe colleges are important, what they support, and what they might be willing to vote and pay for, are not always the same.
While 58 percent of respondents said they would support a $2 billion bond issue for college construction, only 50 percent said they would definitely vote for the bond if it were on the 2006 ballot.
By a 53 percent to 14 percent ratio, respondents were more likely to support a new bond if the funds went to building more local public schools. Eighteen percent said they would support both, and only 3 percent said they would not support either.
NJASCU spokesman Paul Shelly speculated that people see a more direct relationship between state funding for local public schools and their property taxes.
"They believe a bond could lower their local taxes," he said.
The large general support could be good news for the state Legislature, which is grappling with how to fund more public school construction now that the $8.6 billion school construction bond has run out.
Those polled did prefer spending the money on college construction rather than putting it into transportation projects or stem-cell research. And a wide majority, 74 percent, said spending bond money on expanding college opportunity is a good use - as long as the college boards of trustees managed the money.
Only 12 percent said they would trust the governor and Legislature to decide how best to use the money. Sixty-eight percent said they would trust the boards of trustees at the colleges.
The colleges have been lobbying for a new construction bond to deflect the cost from student tuition and fees. Enrollments are expected to increase steadily for several more years, and colleges have been expanding to meet the need. Those construction costs have been covered by tuition increases and new or increased fees charged to students
