Tracking Campaign Promises – New Jersey So How is Governor Corzine Responding to His Campaign Promises?
Rarely does anyone remember what any candidate promised to the people, so the Apathetic Voter is going to track those campaign promises to see if Governor-elect Corzine follows through in spite of his highly suspect performance in the Senate. The Star-Ledger published a summary of those campaign promises the day after the election, which unfortunately will probably be lost for posterity once the newest corruption scandals or tax increases jolt the voters off their easy chairs. Below we are borrowing from the list of these major promises. From time to time, the Apathetic Voter will grade the new kid on the block fairly where 0% means he lied through his teeth and 100% means the guy is “Honest John.” Note that the more critical “money” positions are underlined.
Subject of Promise	What Did He Promise?	Apathetic Voter Commentary		Kept Promise (0% - 100%)
Abortion	He will fight to protect Roe vs. Wade. Favors public funding for abortions and the morning-after pill for poor women.
Corrections	Address the social and educational problems that cause the disproportionate percentage of minorities in prison Emphasize inmate training, rehabilitation and preparation for re-entry into mainstream society.	The problem will never change until the culture changes.
Economic Development	Reform the gross receipts tax. Invest in ventures. Aggressively pursue companies to move to the state. Promote research and development in areas of major economic growth.	Sounds like higher taxes.
Education	Reconsider the list of districts eligible for Abbott school ruling. Study the state’s current testing program for No Child Left Behind.	I hope he means to reduce the number of schools that qualify.
Eminent Domain	Strengthen the laws protecting homeowners.	I’ll believe it when I see it.
Environment	Support local government plans for clean-up and development of Petty’s Island in South Jersey. Create a Director of Energy Savings. Support offshore wind farms.	Another unnecessary bureaucrat.
Government Corruption	An elected state comptroller will refer serious wrongdoing to the attorney general. Ban play-to-pay political contributions. Eliminate the transfer of money among political funds. Expand public financing of campaigns.	Don’t we have enough ineffective watchdogs already? When, in 2029? After Corzine already spent $39 million getting elected.
Health and Social Issues	Reduce caseloads at DYFS. Get home-based care for the disabled. Explore creating a children’s services department.	Another bloated ineffective government bureaucracy.
Homeland Security	Appoint a cabinet-level homeland security director. Issue executive order that mandates state oversight of chemical plant security.	Another unnecessary bureaucrat.
Law Enforcement	Use state police to fight drug trade More police officers walking the beat. Provide additional financial resources to firefighters and police. Ensure police and firefighter pensions are fully funded.	Another colossal waste of money on the war on drugs. More taxes, no doubt?
Pension Fund	Reduce political appointees in government by half Invest the money in the pension fund taking advantage of “compound interest”	A little humor perhaps? Isn’t that quite similar in concept to the Republican’s ridiculed Social Security reforms?
Property Taxes	Fully restore rebates that were cut over the last two years. Increase rebate 10% per year for the next four years (see above). Resolve issue with special legislative session Constitutional convention to focus on long-term solution	Rebates are an expensive and irrational political ploy anyway – simply reduce the tax base. It hasn’t worked to-date – why would it work now? You mean the people may actually have a voice?
School Construction	Hold referendum to borrow money for school construction	The problem won’t be fixed by building new schools – spend a few dollars on fiber optics, computers, more teachers and smaller class sizes.
Sprawl	Repeal “fast track” law that speeds development permits.
Stem cell research	Spend $400 million on a new state stem cell research facility.	This IS NOT the government’s business – if it’s worthwhile, let private enterprise build it.
State Supreme Court	Name judges who look at the state constitution as a “living document.”	This is despicable and borders on treason – our Forefathers would be rolling over in their graves.
Taxes	Did not adopt a “no tax” pledge.	Hold onto your wallets.
Transportation trust fund	Opposed to gas tax increase. Will consider using toll revenues to support new borrowing.	More borrowing – more debt.
Urban issues	Health care plan would provide universal access to all children and pregnant women.	The taxes necessary to support this idea will dwarf all other tax increases.