The Garden State Needs Pruning

New Jersey must restore good government

By Caitlin E. Carey

November 3 holds the potential for the start of a new era in New Jersey politics. As the first major elections since those of 2008, the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial elections are viewed by many pundits as the first measures of po­litical power since the Democrats gained control of both the executive and legislative branches. A victory in New Jersey for Republican Chris Christie over in­cumbent Democrat Jon Corzine would be particularly notable, since it would end a long cycle of decidedly leftist state government. More importantly, in a state notorious for corruption and economic malaise, this election represents an opportunity for residents to speak out against a failing system.

Corruption has for some time been accepted as a matter of course in New Jersey politics. Many re­member the high-profile resignation of Democratic Governor Jim McGreevey following the revelation of his homosexuality and legal troubles with his gay partner. Though Governor Corzine has not been di­rectly implicated in any scandal, his administration has been repeatedly linked to wrongdoing. Commis­sioner of Community Affairs Joseph Doria, a member of Corzine’s cabinet, was forced to resign after his involvement in a widespread bribery scheme became public. The Governor donated $400,000 to Joseph Ferriero, the head of the Bergen County Democratic Organization who was recently convicted of fraud. If nothing else, Corzine is guilty of poor oversight of his party and subordinates.

New Jersey faces some of the worst budgetary and tax problems of any state. The tax climate for business is unfruitful, and residents pay the highest property taxes in the nation, averaging $7,000 per year. The unemployment rate is 9.8 percent. Since the beginning of the McGreevey administration, the people of New Jersey have been faced with over a hundred new taxes and fees. According to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, property taxes have increased by seventeen percent since Cor­zine took office. His budget for fiscal year 2010 raises taxes by an additional $1.2 billion, hardly a prescrip­tion for economic recovery.

Corzine has run an impressive campaign, perhaps due to his extraordinary funding: he has outspent his Republican opponent three-to-one. He has also gar­nered the support of such political superstars as Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and President Obama, and has tried to propagate Obama’s aura of “change” despite his party’s eight-year control of the governorship.

But if change is what the people of New Jer­sey want, they best look elsewhere. Chris Christie, a former federal prosecutor and Corzine’s Republican challenger, represents an opportunity for real change in New Jersey government. If elected, he promises to “run state government like a business,” authorizing more audits of government officials and promoting public-private partnerships. Describing tax rates as “oppressive,” he plans to end tax increases and reduce the corporate business tax. One of his top priorities, after economic growth, of course, is governmental transparency. As a U.S. attorney, Christie prosecuted many of the officials, over 130 in total, who have giv­en New Jersey a reputation for corruption.

Christie may not be the messiah New Jersey needs. But he is the only candidate who has a viable plan to cut taxes, reduce corruption, and allow busi­nesses to flourish. In an interview with Time maga­zine, Christie acknowledged that many New Jerseyans will vote for him simply because he is not Corzine: “If there’s some people who decide to pull my lever in the booth because they don’t like Jon Corzine, I’ll take their votes too. I’m not particular in that regard.” Such is the nature of this election: a vote for Corzine is a vote for the status quo. A vote for Christie is a vote for a new era in New Jersey politics, an era of fiscal responsibility and government accountability.