Corzine: No Beach Projects in Peril

PRINCETON — “Not one (beach replenishment) project will be in peril,” Gov. Jon Corzine told a dozen newspaper editors April 1 at Drumthwacket.
The state’s chief executive, in an hour-long budget discussion at the governor’s official residence, was questioned about the shortfall, about $18.75 million that is about $7 million short to qualify for federal funds.
Corzine answered the question of beach replenishment funding asked by this reporter.
“We came up with extra dollars (for beach replenishment) projects,’ said the governor. He stressed the budget would “not put in peril any project.”
Those remarks also followed a question, earlier in the day, by former Gov. Thomas Kean who reportedly told media representatives Corzine’s proposed funding cuts for beach replenishment as well as for arts and cultural organizations would be “counterproductive,” according to a story in the Press of Atlantic City.
Corzine’s afternoon session with editors focused on the moves being made in his $29.84-billion state spending plan to meet critical needs in the Garden State while facing revenue shortfalls at virtually every turn.
Corzine pointed to a budget that was $3.4 billion, or about 10 percent, below last year’s budget. He also said it was the first time in four years that the state budget was lower by $1 billion than that of his first budget offered in March 2006.
“Happy I’m not,” he admitted, but cited many “tough choices” that were called for in the budget.
Education, he said, was top priority in his budget, with school aid increased by $304 million. That, he noted, would help trim property tax increases.
He also pointed to retention of the Senior Freeze property tax rebate program that had been expanded to include seniors with incomes of up to $80,000.
He also noted that 1.9 million Garden State families would get a property rebate this year.
He used that figure to disprove allegations that his budget targets middle class workers and families.
Instead, he said, those rebates will provide about $1.2 billion in property tax relief.
“I’m focused on the view, and trying to support the middle class,” said Corzine.
“There are a lot of seniors in the middle class, and there are no cuts in the Senior Freeze program,” he continued.
Other points he cited state actions to trim property taxes:
* Municipalities may defer half of their pension contributions, for a total saving of $500 million in property taxes, although many in Cape May County have declined the offer, stating it only delays payments.
* Federal recovery funds boosted NJ FamilyCare by $193 million, making health care attainable to many uninsured working class families.
* Financial aid for NJ Stars program (for college tuition) increased more than $3 million to $17.8 million.
When the subject of federal stimulus funds was discussed, Corzine said that the state had received $17.5 billion in federal stimulus aid, and admitted it is helpful “When a Democratic governor calls a Democratic president.”
“We are way up there on the Richter Scale of aid,” said Corzine. He said the state had gotten 60 cents back in federal aid for each dollar sent to Washington.
Corzine said there had been reductions of 450 of 2,400 line items in his budget, or about 20 percent. Another 400 items will be affected by the allocation of employee savings, increasing the share of reductions to 36 percent.