A good start to the week, even if I stayed indoors on the treadmill (I didn’t have time to get outside). Did four miles in 33:28 — an 8:22 pace — listening to (what else?) the new R.E.M.
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Even Countdown with Keith Olbermann, which I watch almost religiously, tagged this out-of-context comment and subsequent responses as breaking news — mindboggling when you consider that there was no news involved. (Though CNN — above — hit the story hard and accurately, dismissing it for what it is.)
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The latest news on the Middlesex-Ocean-Monmouth rail line is not good — if you’re opposed to the line, as we are at the Post and the Press. A press release from U.S. Rep. James Saxton (R-Monmouth) announces an infusion of cash to help pay for additional studies with the goal being to push the line through Middlesex County.
Here is the release:
WASHINGTON, DC – New Jersey Transit will receive more than a $1 million for its proposed Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex (MOM) Passenger Rail Line, said Congressmen Chris Smith (NJ-04) and Jim Saxton (NJ-03), who had worked for years to have the money included in the federal budget.
The MOM Alternatives Analysis Program will receive $1.25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation budget as a direct result from Smith’s and Saxton’s efforts to fund the project in 2005, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU or SAFETEA). This act authorizes federal surface transportation programs through the end of 2009.
The MOM Passenger Rail Line is expected to relieve traffic congestion in the region, the fastest growing area in central New Jersey. The MOM Line would extend passenger rail service from New York City, Newark, and other urban areas of North Jersey into Central New Jersey, according to State and local planners.
“The MOM line is a critical project aimed at relieving congestion and its related health problems in one of the fastest growing regions in New Jersey,” said Rep. Smith. “The federal government’s continued commitment and funding will help move the MOM line forward.”
“Chris and I feel that this is a worthwhile public transportation effort,” said Saxton. “New Jersey is the most densely populated state, and this rail line could improve commuting and transportation systems by creating a rail service link between North Jersey and South Jersey. That could reduce cars on the roads, and give travelers an option to get to their destinations.”
In March, Smith and Saxton asked New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine to reconsider his plan to eliminate the Middlesex portion of the MOM Passenger Rail Line. Smith and Saxton helped authorize the project in 2005 legislation that allowed them to seek appropriations over six years.
The final potential stop of the MOM Line would be Lakehurst Borough, which is home to a U.S. Navy base, the Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station (NAES), the largest employer in Ocean County.
The release is rather benign, speaking in general terms about a general rail project that on the surface would appear to have little downside. That is, if you ignore the second to last paragraph. Both Smith and Saxton have previously been on the record supporting the line through Jamesburg and Monmouth Junction and the reality is that the money they have put on the table is designed to make the Shore communities’ favorite alternative the favored alternative — even with the governor’s somewhat lukewarm assurances that the Middlesex alternative is dead.
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South Brunswick Republicans just may have a pulse, after all. The party has nominated three fresh faces to run for Township Council in the fall — the first time before the township changed its form of government with the 1998 election that the party has three first-timers on the ballot.
Not that all three are unknowns. John O’Sullivan, of Monmouth Junction, is a longtime gadfly who has served on various local boards and has run for school board. The other two — Laura DeRuve and Rich Nasdeo — are relatively new to politics in the township.
The appearance of new faces is a good news for the GOP, I think, regardless of whether or not the trio turn out to be decent candidates. The party has given off an outward appearance of exhaustion as it repeatedly recycles the same names on the ballot. A strong Republican Party is essential — as is a strong Democratic Party — to ensure a vigorous debate of issues at the local level.
None of this should imply an endorsement or anything more than a recognition that maybe, just maybe, the Republicans are on their way back to relevance in South Brunswick.
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Let’s face it: No one likes the budget that Gov. Jon Corzine has proposed to the state Legislature.
No one likes his proposal to close the parks or his plan to eliminate the Department of Agriculture. No one likes his aid cuts to towns, hospitals or colleges.
But the state is broke. It is facing a massive recurring deficit and something needs to be done.
Is the governor taking the right action? Is this the correct approach to follow?
I don’t know. But pain is the one given in this discussion. Someone is going to have to pay and pay steeply.
The key thing is that the governor has asked that those criticizing his cuts, trying to reverse them, come up with alternatives. Many of the groups have failed to do that, even with the governor saying that more cuts maybe necessary to offset a shortfall in revenue. Many, like the state’s mayors, complain that the cuts will lead them to increase taxes (purposely ignoring the tax cap imposed last year that limits the amount any town can increase municipal tax levies or the impact that school aid increases will have on overall tax bills in many towns).
That’s why I like this story. Many of the state’s progressive interest groups are working to alter the priorities in the governor’s budget, seeking to reverse some of the cuts but offering other cuts and new revenues to replace them.
Contending Gov Jon Corzine’s proposed cuts to the state budget will raise property taxes and hinder public services like health care, higher education, tenant protection, road repair and outdoor recreation, a coalition of 20 citizens’ groups today proposed increases in state income, gas, gambling and liquor taxes and motor vehicle fees to raise approximately $2.28 billion.
“If this budget goes through, we will see longer emergency room waits, higher property taxes and shuttered parks and libraries,” said Eva Bonime, director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance and coordinator for the new coalition, Better Choices for New Jersey. “This budget makes the wrong choices for working families.”
The coalition is proposing increasing the state income tax on the top 10 percent of wealthy households to raise approximately $500 million. It wants to increases in the gas tax as well as in driver’s license and motor vehicle registration fee to raise $1.4 billion.
The group also wants to close what it sees as corporate tax loopholes and re-evaluate business subsidy programs to raise $300 million. And it wants to see liquor and gambling taxes increased to raise $80 million. Coalition leaders said they have not settled on the specifics of their proposals.
“Better choices means looking at sensible revenue options to fund the services and investments our state depends on,” said Jon Shure, president of New Jersey Policy Perspective. “These are fair, realistic and environmentally sound ways to meet New Jersey’s needs.”
Business groups reacted with criticism — which was to be expected. They are more concerned with maintaining the benefits they get from the state than with the general welfare of the state’s poorest residents.
The question is how the governor and state Legislature will react. No one argues with the need to cut spending. But it is foolish for the state to attempt to close such a massive budget hole by relying only on spending. No one wants to pay more, but I can’t see how we can avoid it.
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Hank Kalet 