The New Jersey Governor's Race 2009

On November 3, 2009, registered voters in New Jersey will head to the polls to decide who will be the next Governor of New Jersey. Will Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine get re-elected? Or will Republican challenger Chris Christie take over the Governor's mansion for the next four years?

The New Jersey Governor's Race 2009: New Jersey voters are not happy

According to a recent Quinnipiac Poll released in early June, 67% of New Jersey voters were 'somewhat dissatisfied' or 'very dissatisfied' with how things are going in their state. The all time high for New Jersey voter dissatisfaction was 69% in 2006.

The New Jersey Governor's Race 2009: What issues matter to New Jersey voters?

The key issues for New Jersey voters are taxes and the economy. 45% of New Jersey voters in the Quinnipiac Poll said taxes are the most important issue facing the Garden State, specifically property taxes. 24% of New Jersey voters listed the economy as the most important issue while 4% chose education as a top priority.

The New Jersey Governor's Race 2009: Where do the candidates stand on key issues?

Here's brief side by side comparison of the major candidates in The New Jersey Governor's Race 2009 and where they stand on these key issues: Taxes, economy, and education.

The New Jersey Governor's Race 2009: Taxes

According to Associated Press in Trenton, Corzine wants the over $600 million dollars raised by New Jersey's Tax Amnesty Program to go towards property tax relief for middle class homeowners. The Philadelphia Enquirer reports that Corzine is considering raising the income tax on people making over $400,000 a year.

Chris Christie believes in an across the board rate cut for all taxpayers and an additional break for taxpayers who own small businesses in New Jersey. He also wants to cut corporate business tax rates.

The New Jersey Governor's Race 2009: The Economy

Governor Corzine got over $17 million for New Jersey as part of the Federal Stimulus Package. He claims the construction of the new Mass Transit Tunnel between NJ and NYC will result in 44,000 jobs upon completion.

Chris Christie wants to create what he calls New Jersey Partnership For Action: an agency that will 'sell' New Jersey and use tax incentives to lure more businesses to the state, creating more private sector jobs.

The New Jersey Governor's Race 2009: Education

In January 2008, Governor Corzine signed the School Funding Reform Act of 2008. It increased state aid to education by over $500 million in 2008-2009. Aid increased to some schools districts that had been flat funded for 5-6 years. The New Jersey Education Association supported this legislation.

Chris Christie says government 'throwing' money at school systems doesn't work. He believes in greater accountability, parental involvement, merit pay for teachers, and more charter schools

Sources:

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1299.xml?ReleaseID=1312

http://www.christiefornj.com/on-the-issues

http://www.joncorzine09.com/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=cmpNews&categoryKey=news&htmlID=12580&s=corzine

http://www.joncorzine09.com/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=cmpResults&s=corzine

http://www.joncorzine09.com/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=cmpPlan&s=corzine

http://www.njea.org/pdfs/09LegislativeProgram_Introduction.pdf

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20090613_N_J__could_vote_next_week_on_a_budget.html