“Governor Corzine is making the tough, necessary decisions to ensure that the state budget remains in balance throughout the remainder of the current fiscal year. It is encouraging that he moved quickly to address the revenue shortfall.

Read the rest of Governor’s Move to Save an Additional $400 Million Welcomed (37 words)

“It is vitally important that the Corzine Administration ensures that a portion of unspent funds are immediately impounded. Revenue collections for the current budget are running more than $1 billion behind, in the current fiscal year.

Read the rest of Tom Kean Calls on Governor Corzine to Impound Unspent Funds (188 words)

“Two years ago, many people in the state thought the governor’s irresponsible plan to monetize New Jersey’s toll roads was dead and buried; everybody but Governor Corzine. Published reports indicate that all along the governor has been planning to use the toll roads to generate more revenue for his reckless spending spree.

Read the rest of Tom Kean: Jon Corzine’s Unguarded Moment of Candor Shows He Will Raise Tolls Despite Denials (132 words)

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement regarding a comment published in The New York Times that Governor Jon Corzine may revive his plan to lease the New Jersey Turnpike.

“As I said last year, 17 Republican Senators are opposed to this reckless plan to raise tolls on New Jersey commuters by 800 percent. This plan truly demonstrates just how out of touch Governor Corzine is with the needs of the struggling middle-class families of New Jersey. This stealth tax increase will make our state even more unaffordable for too many people.”

Senate Republican Budget Officer Anthony Bucco speaking about the New Jersey budget deficit on Thursday, October 22, 2009.  Also pictured (from left) are Senator Joe Pennacchio, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Steven Oroho.

Incredibly, the governor responded with only $205 million in accounting shifts and an order to his Cabinet to find just $200 million in possible spending reductions.

Read the rest of Senators Call on Corzine to Address Budget Deficits NOW (554 words)

“The governor has announced he’s planning to adjust the budget by $405 million when it’s clear that we could have a $1 billion problem in this year alone,” Senator Kean said. “The governor’s poor fiscal management could lead to an additional billion dollar deficit that could result in losses in state aid and dramatic increases in local property taxes. The governor has already committed to a $500 million cut in school aid for next year. These ominous revenue projections suggest a bleaker future for New Jersey property taxpayers under Jon Corzine.”

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following comments regarding the failure of the Corzine Administration to release first quarter revenue figures. Kean called on the Corzine Administration to immediately release revenue figures so that a future governor isn’t forced to scramble to make unreasonable cuts in vital services in the future.

This week, New York Governor David Paterson announced plans to eliminate $3 billion in spending from his state’s budget because of declining revenue numbers. Most economists anticipate New Jersey’s revenue collection will track New York’s, because of our shared regional economy. Two years ago, Senator Kean called on Governor Corzine to begin to initiate budget savings due to clear signs that a recession was approaching.

Read the rest of Tom Kean: Corzine Must Follow New York’s Lead and Begin Making Budget Adjustments (171 words)

“Governor Corzine made promises on school funding to the citizens of New Jersey and the New Jersey Supreme Court that he has not kept,” said Kean. “The lack of state aid will translate into school property tax increases across most of New Jersey.”

Read the rest of Tom Kean: Underfunding School Formula Another Broken Promise by Corzine (160 words)

“Over the last decade, the policies of Governor Corzine and his allies have failed New Jersey’s struggling middle class,” Senate Republican Leader Kean said. “People are looking for change in Trenton, and our caucus is united and determined to provide real alternatives to the governor’s failed policies that will create jobs and make our state more affordable for everyone.”

Read the rest of Senate Republicans Unanimously Back Tom Kean for Senate President (76 words)

“The widely reported allegations that this device is unsafe for patients are shocking and demand an immediate public health response from the governor,” Kean said. “New Jersey residents may be suffering, and, if so, we need to help.”

Read the rest of Tom Kean Calls on Corzine to Seek Out Potential Victims of Federal Medical Device Scandal (138 words)