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fringe
Citizen
Username: Fringe
Post Number: 800
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 10:35 am: | 
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Tuesday March 1, 2005
GOVERNOR RICHARD CODEY
Mr. Speaker ...
Majority Leaders Kenny and Roberts ...
Senate President Pro Tem Turner ...
Minority Leaders Lance and DeCroce ...
Reverend clergy ...
Governors Byrne, Florio, and Bennett ...
Distinguished guests ...
Fellow New Jerseyans ...
Thank you for the cooperation and commitment you have shown me in the past three months.
Together, we have made progress to increase the minimum wage ...
We have raised awareness of the daily struggles of individuals with mental illness.
We have brought new companies to New Jersey and convinced old friends to stay ... and to expand.
We are working together to create a Lieutenant Governor and an Inspector General ...
And we passed one of the toughest pay-to-play bans anywhere in America.
We have put aside partisan differences to work together ... and the results speak for themselves.
As we begin this debate, now more than ever, New Jersey needs us to work together, not as Democrats and Republicans, but as New Jerseyans.
In this budget address, there's good news and there's bad news.
The good news is, we're not bankrupt. The bad news is, we're close.
I have been a member of this Legislature for thirty years.
I have witnessed more budget debates than anyone should in a lifetime.
Budgets that were done in the best of times ...
... and budgets that were done in the worst of times ...
But whether the Treasury was full or empty ...
... too many budgets were driven by one concern ... the politics of survival.
There was always a Gubernatorial election or a Legislative election ... or some other reason that prevented an honest discussion of the State's fiscal problems.
Year after year, the State always managed to find one more gimmick ... one more back door pass to get us through the day...
As a coach, I know sometimes the back door pass works and sometimes it comes back to haunt you.
Finally ... the bill has come due.
Today ... the ghost of Christmas past has arrived at the Statehouse door.
The result of decades of passing the buck ... is a budget that cannot stand under its own weight ...
... not today and definitely not tomorrow.
Unless the State owns up to the structural deficit in the budget, we will continually face a huge shortfall ...
Our credit rating will continue to worsen ...
Every year the State will be the dog that chases its own tail ...
... engaging in a futile attempt to close a perpetual budget gap.
Meanwhile investments in health care and education will be postponed ...
... because the State's resources are consumed in a spiral of increasing entitlements.
The budget nightmare isn't about Republicans or Democrats.
It's about New Jersey.
It isn't about political campaigns or heated rhetoric.
It's about our collective responsibility to the people that elect us.
We can't afford to squander the next four months debating who caused this problem.
Each party has accused the other of recklessness and irresponsibility ... of wasting taxpayer money and employing financial trickery ...
And I have made some of those partisan accusations myself.
But the rhetoric has not solved the problem ...
And the political games ... have only made it worse.
Fiscal gimmicks and borrowing have been a bi-partisan budget addiction.
Both parties have borrowed recklessly and spent well beyond the State's means.
Both parties have placed political expediency over financial responsibility ...
Both have enhanced retirement benefits without thought to future costs.
And both parties have been unwilling to address the skyrocketing cost of health care ... whether it was for Medicaid, State workers, or retired teachers.
The time has come for elected officials to put aside our partisan knives and work together to fix the budget problem. ***
As budget solutions leaked out ...
... people would come up to me and say Governor, I wouldn't want to trade places with you!
At the coffee shop or the basketball court, people said "the Governors before you created this mess, and you just inherited it."
But the truth is we, and I include myself, have all been guilty of saying yes when we should have said no.
And frankly it doesn't matter whether I inherited this mess, created this mess, or had nothing to do with this mess ...
I said I wouldn't run from the responsibilities of this job ... and I won't.
At some point, someone has to stand up and tell the truth.
Today, I am going to call it like it is ... the only way I know how -- honestly and directly.
Our State is facing a fiscal crisis.
It is a crisis that has been building for the better part of the last twenty years.
It can't be solved in one year or even in the next few years.
But it can no longer be avoided.
We are no different than the families we represent.
We have living expenses and annual income.
We have long term obligations ... that come with monthly payments.
We make choices about our priorities ... and their costs ...
We are not the first family to live beyond our means ...
... and we won't be the last to have a day of reckoning.
During the late 1990's, the stock market was reaching all time highs.
The State Treasury was flush with record levels of income from Wall Street bonuses and stock market capital gains.
The government made a decision ...
... to increase spending to match the record levels of revenue pouring into the Treasury.
To enjoy immediate political benefits, new long-term obligations were freely given away.
Then ... the stock market fell ... and our economy suffered under the impact of the September 11th attacks.
Revenue crashed. In 2002, revenue was off by $3 billion dollars.
But even though revenue dropped ... the State was committed to spending levels that could only be supported in the best of economic times.
While we waited for the economy to recover, we tried to replace the revenue.
We brought fairness to the corporate business tax, and we cashed in the tobacco settlement.
When the tobacco money was gone, we borrowed against future cigarette taxes and fines.
And that brings us to today ...
We confront a budget that is the direct result of years of spending levels that couldn't ... and cannot be sustained ...
There is no more tobacco money ... it all went up in smoke.
There is no more borrowing ... the Supreme Court put an end to that.
Today we are left with painful choices that no one wants to make.
My good friend, the minority leader from Hunterdon County, said last year we passed a credit card budget.
In many ways he was right, but it wasn't the whole picture.
The State is no different than the family that enjoys a great financial year ...
And then proceeds to buy that big house, a new boat, and adopts an expensive lifestyle.
But when that great year ends ... the mortgage payment is still due on the first of the month ... but the money to pay the bills is gone.
The family is reluctant to trade in their new way of life.
Maybe they hope that the good times will return. Maybe they hope they'll win the lottery --
we all do!
Month by month, they find a way to keep the charade alive.
First the credit cards are used ...
Then a home equity loan ...
Eventually ...
... the plastic is maxed out and the banks will not extend any credit.
That is where New Jersey is today.
The Supreme Court cut up the credit cards ... but we still have to pay the bills.
It's a sobering task.
At least the family keeps the majority of what they earn.
75 cents of every dollar the State collects, is handed over to someone else.
Every year more than 20 billion dollars is given to towns and school districts, hospitals, and universities.
Now, it's awfully hard to cut your expenses when you give away the majority of your revenue.
In the past weeks, I have met with legislators from both parties.
I have laid out the problem in stark and honest terms.
I have asked for their help and their ideas ... I hope in the months ahead, I will receive both.
Today, I want to talk to the people of this great State.
I want them to understand exactly what the State is facing.
No rhetoric, no blame, there's been enough of that ... just facts and figures as best I can explain them.
In the last budget, New Jersey spent $28.3 billion dollars.
But nearly $3 billion dollars of that was one-time revenue ... revenue we had last year but do not have this year.
Just to fund last year's budget, we need more than $3 billion dollars in new revenue.
And that's before we spend a dime on any new programs.
But just like a family or a business, the State has fixed costs that go up every year.
We aren't faced with funding just last year's budget ...
We must fund the annual increases in mandatory entitlement costs.
Some costs are health care ... some are salary ...
... some are retirement and some are court- ordered ... but none can be avoided.
Let me give you a sampling of some of the increases the State faces this year.
$160 million dollars more in salary increases for State workers and college employees.
$300 million dollars in additional Medicaid costs, most of it federal mandates ... bringing the total Medicaid budget to more than $3 billion dollars.
$90 million dollars more in increased health care costs to support the free medical benefits for retired teachers and school employees ... bringing the total cost of this program to nearly $700 million dollars.
$120 million dollars more in health care costs for current State and college employees ... bringing the total cost of this program to over a billion dollars.
$50 million dollars more in health care costs for retired State workers and college employees ... bringing this program's total cost to $320 million dollars.
$100 million dollars more in increased school construction debt service costs ...
... bringing New Jersey's total debt payments to nearly two billion dollars.
$55 million dollars in additional court-ordered funding for the child welfare reform plan.
And these increases are not new.
These entitlements are the driving force behind the increase in State spending each and every year.
In the last four years...
... the total cost of health benefits for current State employees has risen by 50 percent.
... the total cost of health benefits for retired State and college employees has tripled.
... the total cost of free health benefits for retired teachers and other school personnel has doubled.
... the total cost of Medicaid has more than doubled and now consumes 10 percent of the budget.
And these items will continue to increase at double digit rates well into the future.
If we do not get a handle on these escalating costs ... we'll be having this same debate every year.
So today I am calling for a timeout to this madness of entitlement spending. ***
I will not sign any legislation that enhances retirement benefits or increases pension costs unless those benefits are paid for.
There has to be a better way, and I have asked one of my budget advisers, Phil Murphy, to lead a small working group to develop some ideas for us to consider.
Facing up to the impact of entitlements is one part of reforming the State's structural budget problem.
Controlling discretionary spending is another.
Last year's budget increased by 17 percent ...
This year's budget will decrease by more than 2 percent. ***
That's right ... this budget ... despite nearly a billion dollars in mandatory cost increases, is actually smaller than last year's budget.
We didn't keep spending increases to the cost of inflation or increase spending just a little...
We cut spending by more than a billion dollars.
This is the largest spending cut in the history of our State.
This budget more than meets the challenge to reign in government spending.
It is the most fiscally conservative budget in recent history.
For the first time in years, there is zero borrowing to cover operating costs. *
The use of one time revenues is cut by 70 percent.
Spending on State government operations is virtually frozen.
Out-of-state travel has been prohibited.
Funding for the office of the Governor ... cut by 10 percent.
Funding for the office of each Cabinet member ... cut by 10 percent.
Agencies have been directed to evaluate the effectiveness of every program.
Those programs that cannot demonstrate proven results will be eliminated or consolidated ...
The size of government will shrink ... and at least 500 jobs will be eliminated ... without resorting to layoffs.
An Inspector General has been hired to root out waste, fraud, and mis-management.
And ethics laws have been strengthened to increase accountability.
I have done all this because for too long ... government has spent too much and it is time to tighten our belts.
In order to eliminate the structural hole in the budget ...
I have reduced government.
I have strengthened oversight and accountability.
I have taken on the entitlement issue.
I have raised new revenues.
But regretfully, these actions alone cannot balance the budget ...
In the midst of this budget mess, New Jersey cannot afford the full rebate program ...
The truth is ... we weren't able to afford expanded rebates ... whether done by Democrats or by Republicans.
So I am proposing a suspension of the New Jersey Saver program for everyone except senior citizens.
It is simply impossible to maintain the full program ...
... maintain the services our citizens need ...
... and maintain the massive entitlement machine ...
... all without significant new revenues.
It simply cannot be done.
I find this action as unappealing as you do ... but we are faced with a series of unpleasant choices.
Would you rather tax 401(k)'s?
Increase the sales tax?
Increase the income tax?
Destroy government services?
Or create some new illegal borrowing scheme ...
The only free choices are the unrealistic sound bites offered by those who don't have the responsibility to govern.
Now, I recognize the political stakes involved in the budget ...
I wish the budget had collapsed in another year -- not the year I just happen to be Governor.
But now is when it occurred ... and there is actually something greater at stake than just politics.
We have to face up to some tough choices ...
... about what we can afford ... and what we should fund ...
... because we cannot do everything ...
We pretended we could have it all ... and still never raise taxes ... but that fairy tale has ended.
The sad truth is New Jersey can barely afford to maintain the services we provide.
State government is no longer discussing the expansion of services ... we are debating how to hold on to the most critical.
We are in a battle every year to preserve health care and prescription drugs for the most vulnerable in our society.
We wrestle every year to keep the prisons open ...
... State troopers patrolling ...
... and student aid available.
... we struggle to care for individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities ...
I wish I could be here discussing a major investment in higher education or an expansion of health care ...
... because those are investments New Jersey needs to make ...
but I can't have those discussions ... not with this mess in front of us.
I said increasing the income or sales tax would be a last resort ... and it must be.
The knee jerk answer can't be to simply raise taxes.
No one may want to admit this ... but government has a cost ...
... all those services our citizens need have a cost ... and costs usually go up every year.
My Republican colleagues know this better than even the Democrats ...
In 1992 when the Republican party needed revenue ... they chose this same path I am proposing today ...
They basically eliminated the property tax rebate program for everyone but senior citizens.
They made a decision that eliminating rebates was a better choice than cutting government services for the most needy.
I am sure that their decision was as painful to them, as mine is to me.
Today marks the beginning of four months of what I am sure will be a lively debate.
Now, I have tried to outline the problem and shape the discussion.
I don't pretend to have a monopoly on ideas -- whether good ones or bad ones.
I welcome the ideas of others, not just from members of the Legislature, but from all who care about our State.
I have put forward a plan. I suspect the Legislature will make some changes.
And you have no idea how happy I am to welcome you to this debate.
I know this budget will be met with the typical political spin, but let me say this ...
If individuals on either side of the aisle want to criticize this budget ...
If people want to oppose the small revenue raisers ... or clamor for more cuts...
Then come forward with your specific ideas, not your generic criticisms.
If you want to do more spending, show me how you will pay for it.
If you want to talk about cuts, show me directly what you mean.
If you want to remove a revenue raiser, show me how you will replace it.
Don't sit in the aisles and say you oppose this idea or that idea.
Don't stand at some distant podium and say the State should just cut more spending.
Don't mistake appealing sound bites for actual choices or ...
... mis-lead the public with false choices about easy options that do not exist.
If you want to be a leader, the public deserves to hear your ideas and weigh them against what I have proposed.
Treat our citizens like responsible adults and give them the facts.
Will you cut school aid?
Will you cut municipal aid?
Will you cut higher education or aid to hospitals?
Will you lay off State workers?
Close prisons ... take away student loans?
Increase co-payments for PAAD and Senior Gold?
Or will you take away health care for the most vulnerable in our society ... like they did in Arkansas and Mississippi?
But if you are serious, I promise I will listen.
This budget is honest and it is lean ... but it is not inhumane.
I have made painful cuts to reduce government spending ... but I am not going to balance the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable.
I am not going to make arbitrary cuts in worthwhile programs just to prove that it can be done.
Now is the time for leadership ...
not showmanship.
The politics of business- as-usual have gotten us into this mess ...
The policy of responsible governance can get us out.
So, let's have an honest and open discussion about putting the State we love on a fresh path.
A path of financial responsibility and spending restraint ...
Today marks a new beginning for New Jersey.
It is our chance to put aside the politics of the past ...
... and forge a different course.
To the citizens of New Jersey, I make this pledge ...
The days of spending like there's no tomorrow ... end ... today.
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fringe
Citizen
Username: Fringe
Post Number: 801
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 10:37 am: |
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A budget and a warning
Codey unveils $27.4 billion plan for Jersey, which he calls close to bankruptcy
Wednesday, March 02, 2005BY JEFF WHELAN AND JOE DONOHUE
Star-Ledger Staff
Declaring it a "day of reckoning," acting Gov. Richard Codey yesterday unveiled a state budget with the biggest spending drop proposed by a governor in at least 50 years, and he warned that New Jersey's "massive entitlement machine" was threatening to bankrupt the state.
While trimming overall spending by $600 million, Codey's $27.4 billion plan also increases taxes and fees by $570 million. And it would slash property tax rebates, a proposal that drew immediate opposition from lawmakers in both parties.
Just weeks after deciding against a run for a full term as governor, Codey delivered a blunt and sober budget address in which he lamented that the "politics of survival" have too often driven Trenton's fiscal decisions.
He acknowledged that last year his own Democratic Party -- then led by Gov. James E. McGreevey -- passed a "credit card budget" when it increased spending by a record $4 billion, largely by borrowing. But he said that was merely an extension of years of fiscal recklessness by Republicans and Democrats alike.
"The good news is, we're not bankrupt. The bad news is, we're close," Codey told lawmakers gathered in the Assembly chambers. "The result of decades of passing the buck is a budget that cannot stand under its own weight, not today and definitely not tomorrow."
Lawmakers welcomed Codey with a sustained standing ovation -- but his 28-minute address was interrupted by polite applause just 16 times, compared with the 43 applause lines in his State of the State speech.
One of the few discretionary spending increases in Codey's budget proposal is $40 million in new money to help improve services for the mentally ill, a top priority for Codey.
The biggest savings would come from slashing tax rebate programs for homeowners -- $1.2 billion. The acting governor also proposed trimming the state work force by 500 positions through attrition, virtually freezing aid to schools and towns.
But he stopped short of offering specific solutions to what he singled out as the biggest culprit in the state's structural budget problems: rapidly escalating entitlement costs. Instead, he embarked on what he said he hoped would be an "honest discussion" about the problem.
He noted that over the past four years, the state's cost for providing free health care to retired teachers and other school personnel doubled, while health care costs have risen by 50 percent for current state employees and tripled for retired state and college employees. He also said Medicaid has more than doubled and now consumes more than 10 percent of the budget.
"It is a crisis that has been building for the better part of the last 20 years. It can't be solved in one year or even in the next few years, but it can no longer be avoided," he said.
Codey said he will not sign any legislation that further enhances retirement benefits or increases pension costs unless those benefits are paid for, and he directed one of his budget advisers to conduct a review of health care and pension costs.
Senate Republican Leader Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon) commended Codey for cutting spending and said he was "certainly looking forward" to working together to curb entitlement costs.
"This was a sober and serious speech by the governor, finally recognizing that we have to live within our means," said Lance (R-Hunterdon).
But he was quick to note that it was Republicans who sued the state last year, triggering a Supreme Court ruling that prevented Codey from resorting to the borrowing employed by the McGreevey administration.
"I don't believe this day of reckoning would have happened were it not for the Republican suit last year," Lance said.
Lance and other Republicans also criticized Codey's plans to cut property tax rebates. Under the proposal, Homestead Rebates for senior citizens would decrease from $1,200 to $800, and NJ Saver rebates, which averaged $690 last year, would be eliminated for an additional 1.3 million homeowners.
"If we continue to tax and spend in the manner proposed while cutting property tax relief, we will cease to be a place where working families can live and raise their children," said Lance.
Codey's biggest hurdle on that proposal may be Assembly Democrats, who are up for re-election this year and also vowed to restore the rebates. Last year, Democrats pushed through an income tax increase on the state's wealthiest taxpayers to expand the rebate program, vowing that the money wouldn't be used merely to plug the state budget.
"The governor's message was one that was very reasoned," said Assembly Majority Leader Joe Roberts (D-Camden). "He has sketched out how tough the decisions are. He has greatly reined in our reliance on one-time revenues, completely eliminated the utilization of borrowing to balance the budget."
But Roberts added, "The idea that we would support a budget that completely eliminates property tax relief, I believe, is unacceptable."
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce echoed Roberts' concerns about the rebates, but he also complained that "people who earn over $200,000 are frankly being discriminated against" because Codey wants to eliminate some property tax deductions for them. Republican gubernatorial candidates said Codey's spending cuts didn't go deep enough.
The Codey administration yesterday also unveiled a few more unpleasant surprises -- additional tax increases that were not advertised in a Monday budget briefing.
After the state hiked the realty transfer tax twice in two years on the sale of homes worth more than $350,000, the administration now is recommending an increase in the rate paid on homes worth $150,000 or more. The seller of a home worth $250,000, who now pays $1,300 in reality transfer taxes, would pay $1,700 -- a $400 increase.
The administration also hopes to collect $50 million from a 2 percent gross receipts tax on the cable television industry, which has expanded into new services such as Internet access.
Finally, while the federal government is phasing out inheritance taxes, Codey proposes to increase New Jersey's estate tax on the wealthiest taxpayers to net an additional $25 million.
The biggest single jump in taxes, $275 million, would come through extending the state's 6 percent sales tax to some now-untaxed services, which Codey has yet to specify.
All told, tax increases, fee hikes and programs aimed at improving tax collection would raise about $675 million, and an additional $150 million would come from new video slot machines if a plan to install them at the Meadowlands racetrack is approved. Last year's budget raised taxes by $1.7 billion.
Codey challenged anyone who criticizes his spending cuts or tax and increases to offer their own "specific ideas" instead of "generic criticisms."
Lance said one option may be requiring more contributions from state workers to their health care plans, while Sen. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Union) said the state should make deeper cuts in its work force. Assembly Democrats have talked about reviving a proposal to tax contributions to 401(k) retirement plans to raise an additional $500 million.
Kean noted that last year, the Democratic-controlled Legislature increased McGreevey's proposed budget request by nearly $2 billion before enacting it into law.
"I think it was a strong speech," Kean said of Codey's address, "but the problem is the Democrats in the Legislature have a tradition of ignoring strong speeches."
Aside from mental health, Codey also proposed a modest spending increase to boost ethics in state government -- the issue that topped voters' concerns in a recent Star-Ledger/Eagleton-Rutgers Poll. Codey would spend an additional $7.5 million to strengthen the Executive Commission on Ethical Standards, the State Commission of Investigation and the Election Law Enforcement Commission, establish the Inspector General's Office and re-establish the Public Advocate.
Staff writer Josh Margolin contributed to this report.
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Michael Janay
Citizen
Username: Childprotect
Post Number: 1638
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 11:53 am: |
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Wow.
I can't believe I support a NJ Democratic Governor 100%.
I hope he can pull it off... but with the legislature in NJ, I doubt it.
If he does pull this off, the counties and towns need to follow suit, and not just raise taxes to make up for the lower amount of State money. I'm skeptical, but hopefull.
If Codey can really pull off what he is saying in this speech and budget, I'll help start a "draft Codey" movement for the November election. |
Joel Janney
Citizen
Username: Joel_janney
Post Number: 29
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 10:13 pm: |
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Count me in. |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 548
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 11:12 pm: |
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Codey should send the message straight to the White House, where profligate spending attitudes and actions have been the rule rather than the exception since 2000, and thanks to that, we've been waging a war on a tax reduction/elimination budget. Oh, how our forefathers might turn in their graves! |
Joel Janney
Citizen
Username: Joel_janney
Post Number: 30
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 11:20 pm: |
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We've got plenty to worry about closer to home - specifically annual property tax increases greater than inflation, economic growth, income growth, or any other sustainable measure. No need to go to Washington to find "profligate spending attitudes and actions". Those attitudes are in evidence right here in Maplewood whenever, for example, there's the hint of cutting or reducing the budget for a school program, or reducing hours at a library. |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 749
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 1:35 am: |
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So, you all know that he's able to do this because, by not running for governor, he's effectively ending his political career, right? This is his shot at fame.
Not that I don't support it. I think it's great that a politician will stand up and say what many citizens have been asying for a long time. And it doesn't really matter what his reasoning is. All I can say is, it's about time! |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7794
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 7:58 am: |
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It is funny that everybody is in favor of cutting state spending, except as far as it effects themselves. Things like the Homestead Rebate, aid to local school districts, etc. are hot button items for man New Jersians.
Dick is doing what has to be done. Eggs will be broken and both the GOP and the DEMS are going to start loading pet projects and programs back in the budget. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 3574
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 10:03 am: |
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"In 1992 when the Republican party needed revenue ... they chose this same path I am proposing today ... They basically eliminated the property tax rebate program for everyone but senior citizens."
What he really was saying was, today I'm proposing the path the Republican party did in 1992... Well, either way he said it, it's about time.
Now this budget is what I call people friendly... He gets my vote of confidence.
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cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 3221
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 1:48 pm: |
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Slash unending county government and tell the cronies in patronage positions to get a real job.
Then raise taxes. |
johnny
Citizen
Username: Johnny
Post Number: 1202
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 7:50 pm: |
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Isn't Codey just being a hyprocrite? He was leader of the State Senate when McGreedy passed his "credit card" budget. I'm certain it couldn't have happened without Codey's support. |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 750
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 9:25 pm: |
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It's not being a hypocrite. He's done a mea culpa. He's said he was part of the problem in the past, and he wants to fix things. I still think he's a lame duck politician (not just a lame duck Governor), and wants to leave his own legacy, plus he has nothing to lose. |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 2065
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 4, 2005 - 8:59 am: |
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Cut public school districts' hermorrhage of billions for tuition for private schools, and reorganize so the public schools can offer real special education. Quality as well as capital will be gained. It can be done, if everyone's on board. My guess is, it will ultimately come to pass, by necessity, with, or without resistance. |
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