NEW JERSEY TAXPAYER
BUDGET BALLOT 2010

Facing a budget crisis he inherited from years of mismanagement by previous Democratic administrations, Governor Christie has proposed a $29.3 billion budget for New Jersey - 9 percent less than the plan submitted last year by his predecessor. This budget will require shared sacrifice from all of New Jersey as we attempt to fix our state that has been broken by runaway spending, endless tax increases and borrowing money taxpayers cannot afford to repay.

The Governor's proposal is a historic step toward making New Jersey affordable, but that does not mean it is perfect. Governor Christie has said he will consider any idea to improve his proposal that is mindful of our state's worst-in-the-nation budget deficit and tax burden. We invite you to complete this short survey so your input can guide us as we work with Governor Christie and the bipartisan Legislature to find the best way to put New Jersey's economy and finances back on solid ground.


1.Would you support paying higher income taxes to allow state government spending to continue or expand?
Yes
No
2.Governor Christie has asked school employees to forgo a pay raise for one year and begin contributing 1.5 percent of their salaries toward healthcare in order to avoid teacher layoffs, property tax increases and elimination of educational programs. Do you think this is a fair request?
Yes
No
3.If you are a state, county, local or school district employee in New Jersey, would you accept a wage freeze and pay more for your healthcare if it meant saving jobs for you and your colleagues?
Yes
No
4.Should voter approval be required for all government spending increases that exceed a 2.5 percent cap?
Yes
No
5.Some legislative leaders have said they will shut down government, which would close state parks, cease lottery operations and shut down motor vehicle agencies in the middle of the summer, unless Governor Christie breaks his promise and raises the income tax. Should the state's income tax be raised?
Yes
No
6.Previously, Governor Corzine and the Democrat-controlled Legislature allowed a temporary tax increase on incomes more than $400,000 to expire before Governor Christie took office. Now, they want Governor Christie to enact a similar tax which primarily affects small business owners and higher income residents. Should he?
Yes
No
7.To generate revenue without raising taxes, should the state sell naming rights for rest stops on the Turnpike and Parkway even if it means replacing the names of famous New Jerseyans such as Walt Whitman, Vince Lombardi and Thomas Edison?
Yes
No
8.Would you support replacing property tax rebate checks with a direct deduction of the same amount off your property tax bill?
Yes
No
9.Do you think that local governments could limit their budget increases to 2.5 percent if given assistance to control escalating costs of public employees?
Yes
No
10.The governor has called on shared sacrifices until we fix our broken state. Who should be a part of this sacrifice?(You may select more than one.)
Taxpayers
Public Employees
Teachers
Police & Firefighters
11.Do you think the pension, health benefit and vacation & sick leave reforms recently signed into law by Governor Christie bring public worker benefits more in line with those in the private sector?
Yes
No
12.The vast majority of the benefits reforms will affect future employees. Should they apply to current employees as well?
Yes
No
13.One of the reform bills caps the sick leave payout at $15,000 for local and school employees (same as State employees). Should this be lowered even further?
Yes
No
14.If you would like to offer any suggestions on how to improve or reform government, please write your comments below:


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