Gov. Christie's decision to end tunnel project likely to enhance national image as cost cutter

[JustAnotherGen]

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/10/gov_christie_tunnel_cancellati.html

NJ.com article on the tunnel project being stopped. Here's what I'm struggling with -

In 'theory' it's a good idea to a Republican with eyes on the Presidency to 'cut costs/spending'. He looks good on the national level but internally?

He shoots his foot to spit in the eye of unions. The article makes a good point - people that live in Basking Ridge, Bridgewater, Madison . . . they vote Republican. (his foot) But they are also those high earners commuting to NYC.


Just wondering what other folks in NJ think about this. I posted on a thread in the Presidency General Discussion forum yesterday but since this in an internal state issue - I'd like to see where other New Jerseyans are at.

[Glassunion]

1. I agree that the jobs and tunnel would be good for the economy...

But that said. They are looking at cost overruns of anywhere from 2 to 5 billion and the state does not have the money.

What should the state do? I would not like to be the one that has to make that choice. You are screwed either way.

Your an ass if you cancel the project because you cost jobs and traffic.
You an ass if don't because the budjet for the project would be blown way out of the water and you would be responsible for 2 to 5 billion more in state debt.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. My thought exactly

The guy is indeed damned either way. My personal thought? I don't go into NYC enough to merit a tunnel build. I guess I'm okay with the wait times on a Saturday evening. But if you commute? Different criteria.

And then the next thought? Why not create branches of those businesses withIN NJ? I know Corzine was able to woo a few over the bridge . . .

[Glassunion]

3. I dunno?

It's tough getting business into NJ. The state has very little real estate available and business/property taxes are much higher than upstate NY, PA or Conn.

Some of the issues with giving tax breaks to get companies here is it has bit NJ in the ass in the past. Remember Merck? NJ gives them a huge tax break to move to NJ. NJ was hoping it would spur employment in the state, however the company brought all of their own employees in with them. In fact, every morning and afternoon a helicopter flies over my office to pick up an executive with the company, flying him/her to and from Conn. They mainly only hired service based jobs in the state. Now they are closing some of their facilities and moving them out. I wonder what our return was on the tax breaks?

[JustAnotherGen]

4. Ahh I didn't know that

About Merck. I moved here from Western NY about 4 years ago (folks here call Rochester upstate :-) ) - I left because all of the companies/jobs had moved either down into the deep South or to Mexico. I don't really know if tax breaks work anymore. I do see though where Christie is waiting for a true total cost analysis. I'm not opposed to him wanting a real cost before he lets it go through. If it's jumping from 8 to 14 - we need to know that as tax payers.

I'm short sighted though . . . we are cutting access to reproductive health care for poor women, our school budgets, our police departments, etc. etc. I know the external discussion is it is a political ploy to get him into the Presidency - but the reality is -

Can we have the bridge AND still provide basic education, public health, and public safety? Especially if it won't translate to more businesses (jobs) coming into the state?

[prodigals0n]

5. This Star-Ledger editorial says it all

http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2010/10/christie_to_tunnel_commuters_d.html

Christie to tunnel commuters: Drop dead
Published: Thursday, October 28, 2010, 5:57 AM Updated: Thursday, October 28, 2010, 11:51 AM

"Many people had hoped that Gov. Chris Christie’s tough stance against the ARC tunnel was a bargaining stunt, an attempt to win more concessions from the federal government.

We learned yesterday that was not true. He won major concessions, and he killed the tunnel anyway.

In the short run, that means the state will lose $3 billion in federal money and be forced to pay back $350 million that’s been spent. That works out to about $1,000 per household, gone for good.

And believe it or not, that’s not the worst of it. This decision will stunt the state’s economic growth for years by putting a hard cap on access to Manhattan, the richest source of good jobs for this state’s work force. He is strangling the golden goose."

This after this clown has already lost New Jersey $400 million in Race to the Top funding entirely through his own tyrannical nature manifesting itself in his uncontrolled hatred of the NJEA (or any other union) and his serial incompetence.

Note: After Christie reneged on the Schundler/NJEA compromise application and destroyed New Jersey's chances in Race to the Top because he hates the NJEA and refuses to compromise with them (or anyone) he's now canceling 6,000 UNION construction jobs by canceling the ARC tunnel, his latest blunder. Does anyone believe this is just a coincidence?

Read the full editorial at the link.

http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2010/10/christie_to_tunnel_commuters_d.html