Gov. Corzine has followed the same path as those before him and despite bold promises, hasn't made any progress or achieved any real results. Programs like the Urban Fund and New Jersey Enterprise Zones have been renewed year after year despite the
absence of any clear indication that they are actually working. Meanwhile, unemployment in our urban cities is nearly 15%, only 40% of students pass the High School Placement Test, on average there are 1,700 violent crimes per year, and more than
22% people live below the poverty line.
The Christie Plan looks at four areas that need improvement if NJ's cities are going to be vibrant communities where parents can raise their family.
Improve the quality of urban schools and expand educational opportunities
Provide affordable, quality housing for those who need it most
Make our cities attractive to business and job growth
The state budget took center stage at New Jersey's republican gubernatorial debate. One of the more heated exchanges by Steve Lonegan and Chris Christie on spending came about over the Council on Affordable Housing or COAH. Lonegan asked, "I'm curious to
watch Chris move his position from being in favor of COAH in December, to gutting it and bringing it back in a different form two weeks ago, and to now apparently call for eliminating it altogether. So I'm not really clear what Mr. Christie's position
is, today."
Christie responded, "One of the hallmarks of Steve's campaign is to just make it up as he goes along. The fact of the matter is right from day one, I have said I would gut COAH. I guess it was just another one of those times
Steve wasn't listening, but just since we're here tonight and you can hear me, I would gut COAH, that's been my position from the beginning and no matter how many times you say something else, it just doesn't make it so."
