Daily Archive
Stories Posted on December 5, 2007
Opinion: Modified I&R could work
Category: Initiative and Referendum · State: New Jersey · Source: nj.com
Another election season is over, and the status quo in Trenton is pretty much intact. Yet the ballot questions showed that voters are clearly not content. Rather, people feel that they have no real ability to influence the direction of state government. Districts are carved to protect incumbents. Choices seem without consequence; neither party in Trenton has been able to deliver property tax reform or bring truly thorough and efficient education to our cities. The legislature is overly influenced by special interests, the courts step in with mandates, and the people feel they have no ability to bring about needed change. They feel that all they can do is send a message of discontent by voting "no" on more debt or more fiscal gimmicks.