What's Next?
Posted January 22, 2010

With Governor Chris Christie's inauguration now history, the big question among New Jersey voters is, "What will happen next?" … "What will really happen next?"

In his inaugural address, Christie promised to "work every waking hour of every day for a better life for all of our citizens."

Continuing, he stated:

The era of runaway spending and higher and higher taxes has not worked. We have the largest budget deficit per person of any State in the Union. We have the highest tax rates in the nation. We have the highest unemployment rate in over a quarter century. Our economy is stagnant and our people are suffering under the burden government has placed on them. And we cannot continue to mortgage our future if we hope to improve it. Today, we are taking a new direction. Today, a new era of lower taxes and higher growth will begin. Today, change has arrived.

And he pledged:

As for me, I will heed the message I have heard over and over again from our citizens as I have traveled around the State in the last 11 weeks —simply put, they have told me to do what I said I would do. So let there be no doubt in this hall, or in any corner of this State: I will treat that promise to the people of our State just as solemnly as I will treat my oath of office. I will do exactly what I said I would do over the last year, no matter the obstacle or trial.

But what is it exactly that New Jerseyans want? A Monmouth University poll released this week helps answer this question. According to the poll – which questioned voters in the weeks following the election – voters believe the first thing Christie should do is cut taxes; followed by cut state spending; spur job growth; address salaries, pensions, unions, and teachers, and finally address ethics and corruption.

By the numbers, the breakdown among all voters when asked what the governor should do first was as follows:

• Cut Taxes 23%
• Property taxes 8%
• Taxes in general 15%
• Cut State Spending 20%
• Spending in general 11%
• Waste in budget 6%
• Size of government 3%
• Spur job growth 10%
• Deal with salaries, pensions
• unions, teachers 8%
• Address corruption, ethics 7%

 

Results from a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday were slightly different yet highlight the same areas. When Quinnipiac asked voters to rank Governor Christie's new priorities from a list of choices, the results were as follows:

• Curb state spending 28%
• Curb local spending and
• cut property taxes 13%
• Create jobs 25%
• End corruption 20%

While the percentages vary, one thing is certain, New Jersey voters are looking for strong leadership to cut spending, reduce taxes, stop corruption, and accentuate job growth.

We've long advocated for 10% across-the-board spending cuts in all state departments and agencies. And we continue to believe this would be a strong starting point.

Many New Jerseyans – from those who have been unemployed to those who have taken pay cuts to keep their jobs – have dealt with reduced incomes into their families. It is not unreasonable to expect public service employees at all levels to be willing to sacrifice as well during these critical economic times.

Whatever course the administration follows, however, New Jersey voters will be watching for one thing: results. Trenton must be willing now to make the tough decisions necessary to reverse the financial train wreck our state has become.

Then and only then will the hoped-for results become reality.

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