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Hammonton Blog -> Hammonton Democrats Blog -> Will HF keep no new taxes pledge with looming state cuts?
Post Info TOPIC: Will HF keep no new taxes pledge with looming state cuts?
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Will HF keep no new taxes pledge with looming state cuts?
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All across New Jersey, municipal officials are faced with grim cost-cutting choices as they brace for the possibility of unprecedented cuts to state aid by years end, leaving them little room to maneuver.

Gov. Jon Corzine said Thursday he might give towns only a portion of a planned December payment to help patch a growing budget deficit that now stands at $1 billion.

Faced with strained finances, municipalities are already scrambling for savings as they struggle to keep their heads above water, experts and government officials say.

On Wednesday, the state revealed it may freeze up to $400 million in payments to municipalities, schools, higher education, hospitals and pensions.

To cope, towns could lay off workers, borrow money, cut services or spend surpluses. Next year, they may have to raise property taxes to compensate.

In the past 4 years we have definitely seen better financial times. But the Hammonton First led local government has already used the "desperate times" measures to balance our budget. Hammonton has already laid off workers. Hammonton has already pushed our borrowing up to $45 million. Hammonton has already cut services.

Rumors already abound that our town is running in the "red." If Decembers state aid is not forthcoming, what will that do to the 2009 budget? The town already had the school pay up front in 2009 for the police officers in the school through June of 2010. If any time is missed by these officers, the town goes futher in the hole due to the payback. Also, you may remember that the town has recieved $520,000 each of the last two years as reimbursement for the playing fields loan from the town. Now the town which has used that money in the last two years general funds must make up that difference, which is over 6 cents on the tax rate. The town is also faced with skyrocketing medical insurance premiums which look to be set to increase over 25% next year. Should we mention that the funding we were to receive for the lake park and for Bellevue Avenue are also in jeopardy?

On the bright side, tipping fees for the town are down due to the cooperation of the residents and our recycling program, but the reduction in tipping fees in no way will match the deficit the budget faces before pencil is even put to paper.

HF guaranteed no new taxes but the Town has grown increasingly dependent on grants.  Will the new administration break its pledge of no new taxes?  What additional services will it cut?  Will it borrow more?  Will roads continue to be neglected?  Is our double AA rating in jeopardy?



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Anonymous

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low taxes are great.
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I hope Hammonton First can keep the "no tax" pledge but trying to balance the books after Jon Corzine is going to be very difficult.

Local taxes are easier to control than state taxes. Hammonton gives so much money to the state of NJ and gets nothing in return.

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RE: Will HF keep no new taxes pledge with looming state cuts?
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Hammonton First knew that Jon Corzine was in office when they made the promise of no new taxes.

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Oh, now we give more to NJ than we get. What about all those grants that are already being advertised?

Well, it looks like HF has their new talking point when they raise taxes...it's all Corzine's fault!  They can have the registered Democrats who supported them blame Christy.  That way it's bipartisan scape-goating.

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If I remember correctly John DiDonato said that he wanted to furlough town employees as a rainy day plan because the town was unaffected by the slowing economy. Instead he laid off 4 town workers. So if it's like they said during the campaign....debt is down and surplus is up and Hammonton is not affected by the slowing economy then what's the problem? They seem to have plenty of money to waste on senseless projects!! If they lay off more employees or raise taxes it only means they lied again and didn't save for a rainy day! Merry Christmas to all you HF lovers! LOL

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Heard the HF king pin is not in action! What will Steve and the rest of HF do without their devious mastermind telling them of all the illegal things they can do and get away with it?

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New Jersey Governor-Elect Christie Says He May Halt Bond Sale


http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aSJXC7roTRLs&pos=9

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Anonymous

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Thank You Chris Christie!!!!!
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Stop the $2.7 billion dollar bond sale ASAP!!!! Tell that buttplug Jon Corzine the state is broke and we do not want our grandchildren in debt forever. What a terrible governor, bankrupting our children and grandchildren.

MOVE BACK to ILLINOIS......you thief!!!!!

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RE: Will HF keep no new taxes pledge with looming state cuts?
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WOW did anyone see the AC Press today about the "Gravy Train" excessive money being paid to municipal workers? These people accumulate so much sick and vacation time because when they go on vacation or are out sick (that's if that don't have a no show job) they never deduct the time. They are at the top so who will question them for not deducting their time when they are suppose to? That's why if HF were smart they would start cracking down on the high paid employees in this town. Most taxpayers don't make in salary what these people make in sick time. It's these greedy people who only know how to keep taking and abusing the system that are destroying our town and country. This goes for all workers whose salaries are funded by taxpayers! Shame on you!

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Anonymous wrote:

WOW did anyone see the AC Press today about the "Gravy Train" excessive money being paid to municipal workers? These people accumulate so much sick and vacation time because when they go on vacation or are out sick (that's if that don't have a no show job) they never deduct the time. They are at the top so who will question them for not deducting their time when they are suppose to? That's why if HF were smart they would start cracking down on the high paid employees in this town. Most taxpayers don't make in salary what these people make in sick time. It's these greedy people who only know how to keep taking and abusing the system that are destroying our town and country. This goes for all workers whose salaries are funded by taxpayers! Shame on you!


HF? Smart? in the same sentence.

 



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I want to know what's on the town's agenda! What does this new year bring for us? What will happen since the state is cutting back on funding. Will they go forward with Stockton even though it will be a failure? Will they create new jobs? What are the positives and negatives that we have to look forward to?

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