As New Jersey continues to feel the impact of a recession that began in December 2007 that has resulted in a region-high unemployment rate of 9.7 percent, Governor Jon Corzine said that he would not rule out increasing taxes in order to balance next year’s budget as reported in yesterday’s Philadelphia Inquirer.  Assemblymen John Amodeo and Vincent Polistina, both R-Atlantic, said that would be one of the few promises the governor has kept since he assumed office.

“Governor Corzine came to office promising to turn away from the tax, spend and borrowing approach used to operate New Jersey, and establish a new paradigm of invest, prosper and grow,” said Polistina.  “The only things that have prospered and grown since he took office are spending and taxes.  The truth is that no amount of government is too much for the governor as long as he’s spending our money.”

Over the course of Corzine’s time as governor, 48 new or increased taxes have been imposed on New Jerseyans, totaling over $4.3 billion.

And the governor didn’t waste any time breaking his pledge by raising the state sales tax from six to seven percent and enacting a four percent corporate business tax surcharge in his first year in office.  Increasing the sales tax was marketed as the means to provide homeowners with permanent and sustained property tax relief.  New Jersey residents continue to pay the highest property taxes in the country.

In the current fiscal budget, Corzine raised taxes by $1.8 billion by increasing income taxes, eliminating property tax rebates for 1.2 million homeowners and extending the corporate business tax surcharge that was scheduled to sunset.

“Middle class families have been particularly hurt by the governor’s failure to reduce spending and control the cost of government,” said Amodeo.  “When he says he won’t rule out increasing taxes if he is still governor, you can count on it.

“The governor has a less than a stellar record of keeping his promises, but is great at blaming others for his failure to deliver.  The unemployment rate keeps rising and those who have a job are still worried,” stated Amodeo.  “The last thing they want to hear is the governor saying they need sacrifice more.  People want to know what government will do without.”