NEW JERSEY TAXPAYER BUDGET BALLOT 2009

Governor Jon S. Corzine has submitted to the Legislature a proposed spending plan for the coming fiscal year that he claims is $29.8 billion in total. Based on information supplied by the independent and non-partisan Office of Legislative Services more than $2 billion in spending was moved “off-budget” to reach that figure. If all spending was counted, the proposed budget would be higher than the current budget. We invite you to complete the following short survey. Your input will guide us during the budget hearings.

1.	What do you consider the most important issue demanding the attention of state government?
	Economic growth
	Property taxes
	State taxes
	Rate of state spending
	Level of state debt
2.	How would you rate the effectiveness of state government in controlling spending and eliminating waste?
	Extremely effective
	Very effective
	Not very effective
	Not effective at all
3.	How should the state close budget deficits?
	Raise taxes
	Reduce spending
	Borrow more money and increase state debt
	A little of each
4.	Gov. Corzine promised to end "budget gimmicks." Do you believe his pension deferral plan and his decision to move federal "stimulus" aid and other revenue sources "off-line" are actually "budget gimmicks"?
	Yes to both
	Yes to pension deferral but not the stimulus aid
	Yes to the stimulus aid but no the pension deferral
	No
5.	Do you believe all homeowners should be able to deduct their property taxes from their income on their state income tax form?
	Yes
	No
	Undecided
6.	Do you support Gov. Corzine's plan to eliminate property tax rebates for those who earn more than $75,000 a year and scale them back for those earning between $50,000 and $75,000?
	Yes
	No
	Undecided
7.	The state's Transportation Trust Fund will soon be unable to pay for new road and bridge projects. The revenue it currently receives from the state gasoline tax will be just enough to pay the interest on past borrowing. Would you support increasing and constitutionally dedicating by voter referendum the state gasoline tax to provide more money for needed transportation improvements?
	No
	Yes, but by no more than 3 cents
	Yes, but by no more than a nickel
	Yes, but by no more than a dime
8.	Would you support the elimination of property tax rebates if the money were used for a permanent, voter approved property tax credit on your property tax bill?
	Yes
	No
	Undecided
9.	Would you support raising an existing broad-based tax, such as the state income tax or sales tax, or imposing a new statewide tax if the revenue were constitutionally dedicated by voter referendum to lowering your property taxes?
	Yes
	No
	Undecided
10.	How should your tax dollars be spent? Assume any increased spending in one category will require a spending reduction in another category.
	Less Same More Education and school aid Less Same More Lower property taxes Less Same More Jobs and economic development Less Same More Transportation aid for roads, bridges & transit Less Same More Environmental protection, open space & smart growth Less Same More Government subsidized housing Less Same More State aid for municipalities and counties Less Same More Health programs and human services Less Same More Support for higher education Less Same More Crime and law enforecment
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