New Jersey budget discussion mirrors national politics

July 18, 4:09 PMBergen County Independent ExaminerPaul Seitz

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It’s as though Trenton is a 1/25th scale of Washington.  The state legislature’s discussion of the budget pits empty Republican complaints against a Democrat wall of action. 

The state Senate and Assembly are poised to approve Gov. Corzine’s $29.9 billion budget.  Republicans denounce the budget saying taxes will increase without reducing the deficit.  However, searches for a Republican proposal that addresses these concerns comes up empty handed.

Democrats have a strong majority in both the Assembly and Senate so the republican concerns appear no more than symbolic and if all of this sounds terribly familiar, it is. New Jersey Republicans have found a safe way to keep in step with the GOP leader’s party line.  By not taking a stand, coming up with alternate solutions or working toward compromise to benefit constituents, Republicans can sit back and take the easy of road of throwing up their hands in minority exasperations. 

Is this why we send elected officials to the State Senate and Assembly, to merely toe the national party line?  Our officials are there to guard our local interests, especially at the state level, not national party uniformity, especially when those local interests run counter to the majority.  If the proposed budget raises taxes, then counter-propose something, anything to fix the issue, but fix it in a way that helps your district.  Playing national politics on the state field will only mirror the accomplishments of the Republicans in Washington.