Jeff Van Drew says no toll increase, yes to sports betting
Posted by Ann Richardson Ocean City NJ at 1/29/2008 8:34 PM 
Categories: Sports Betting,Tourism,Tolls
Categories: Sports Betting,Tourism,Tolls
Jeff Van Drew says no toll increase!
Gov. Jon Corzine best not count on our State Senator's vote when he starts counting the yays and nays.
"I disagree with the toll plan," said Van Drew. Corzine has proposed doubling the tolls every four years beginning in 2010. "I'm not going to support it.
"Indirectly, our area depends on the casinos. If they crash and burn, it is going to affect us, we're going to crash and burn with them.
"We have to think about tourism, this is just not a good idea for our region," he said.
Atlantic City, he said, brings billions of dollars of revenue.
"Despite an inane government," he said. "We are absolutely not going to do anything that will increase a cost to the casino. We are not going to increase any taxes on casinos."
Van Drew says the toll increase plan is too aggressive, has too much debt service and will take too long - 75 years.
"Number one, I have always said, don't borrow without voter approval," he said. Van Drew said former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman was a "terrible governor."
"She said you don't have to fund pensions," h said. "She borrowed from the pension fund at a very high interest rate. She didn't ask the voters. Gov. McGreevey did the same thing. I've been saying for years, go to the voters. Don't spend what you don't have. It's just incredible that this happens, it's irresponsible.
"I am advocating cuts in spending," he said. "Leave spending where it is, cut back the size of the executive branch. The governor increased it 24 percent. If you cut it just 10 percent, you would save a half billion dollars!
"What about naming rights on the Parkway? Do I love it? No, but it's better than a toll increase. What about naming the service areas? Let the state come in and put shopping malls in. What about the lottery? That would be more palatable.
Anything is better than going after our commuters. It's too harsh. I want it off the table.
"No one action on it's own is the killer, it's the accumulation," he said. "It's a constant accumulation that gets to people. A penny on the sales tax, a little on the gas tax, a fee here, a fee there, another fee.
"What happens is people are working harder, working more, paying more for food, heat, gas and everything else. They work two jobs and they're still broke. They're tapped out.
"Every time you turn around there is a new tax," he said. "There is a recycling tax on computers, TV's and other goods. The manufacturers have to pay, the consumer pays. All these extra fees add up, they are toxic. Every fee is passed on.
"Maybe if this toll proposal came at another time," he said. "But not now. We're tapped out. It has to stop.
"If the Governor's plan does pass, for God's sake I hope they lock it in that the money can't be squandered," he said. "Pay off the debt, shore up transportation, be disciplined.
"My viewpoint?" he said. "Gov. Corzine is getting roasted. Others are telling him, 'but at least you are doing something.'"
Van Drew said the vote would come some time before the end of March.
"The Governor is rounding up the votes," he said. "It's very tight. It will be interesting to see who pushes it. I would hope that they will at least offer heavy users a discount, and senior citizens a discount. It's going to really impact us years from now. Salaries are not going to go up 50 percent every four years.
"For tourism, it's a little bit of a hit," he said. "The net affect is just bad, real bad for our region."
Gov. Jon Corzine best not count on our State Senator's vote when he starts counting the yays and nays.
"I disagree with the toll plan," said Van Drew. Corzine has proposed doubling the tolls every four years beginning in 2010. "I'm not going to support it.
"Indirectly, our area depends on the casinos. If they crash and burn, it is going to affect us, we're going to crash and burn with them.
"We have to think about tourism, this is just not a good idea for our region," he said.
Atlantic City, he said, brings billions of dollars of revenue.
"Despite an inane government," he said. "We are absolutely not going to do anything that will increase a cost to the casino. We are not going to increase any taxes on casinos."
Van Drew says the toll increase plan is too aggressive, has too much debt service and will take too long - 75 years.
"Number one, I have always said, don't borrow without voter approval," he said. Van Drew said former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman was a "terrible governor."
"She said you don't have to fund pensions," h said. "She borrowed from the pension fund at a very high interest rate. She didn't ask the voters. Gov. McGreevey did the same thing. I've been saying for years, go to the voters. Don't spend what you don't have. It's just incredible that this happens, it's irresponsible.
"I am advocating cuts in spending," he said. "Leave spending where it is, cut back the size of the executive branch. The governor increased it 24 percent. If you cut it just 10 percent, you would save a half billion dollars!
"What about naming rights on the Parkway? Do I love it? No, but it's better than a toll increase. What about naming the service areas? Let the state come in and put shopping malls in. What about the lottery? That would be more palatable.
Anything is better than going after our commuters. It's too harsh. I want it off the table.
"No one action on it's own is the killer, it's the accumulation," he said. "It's a constant accumulation that gets to people. A penny on the sales tax, a little on the gas tax, a fee here, a fee there, another fee.
"What happens is people are working harder, working more, paying more for food, heat, gas and everything else. They work two jobs and they're still broke. They're tapped out.
"Every time you turn around there is a new tax," he said. "There is a recycling tax on computers, TV's and other goods. The manufacturers have to pay, the consumer pays. All these extra fees add up, they are toxic. Every fee is passed on.
"Maybe if this toll proposal came at another time," he said. "But not now. We're tapped out. It has to stop.
"If the Governor's plan does pass, for God's sake I hope they lock it in that the money can't be squandered," he said. "Pay off the debt, shore up transportation, be disciplined.
"My viewpoint?" he said. "Gov. Corzine is getting roasted. Others are telling him, 'but at least you are doing something.'"
Van Drew said the vote would come some time before the end of March.
"The Governor is rounding up the votes," he said. "It's very tight. It will be interesting to see who pushes it. I would hope that they will at least offer heavy users a discount, and senior citizens a discount. It's going to really impact us years from now. Salaries are not going to go up 50 percent every four years.
"For tourism, it's a little bit of a hit," he said. "The net affect is just bad, real bad for our region."
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