Governor Corzine's Plan Brings Property Tax Relief for NJ
June 18, 2009

We have some very exciting news to share with you.

While others criticized without offering real solutions, Governor Corzine was ahead of the curve in responding to the global economic crisis.

Today, because of an unprecedented state-wide response to the Governor's bold proposals, we're seeing real results for New Jersey's taxpayers.

Urging the Legislature to put $400 million in new-found revenue toward property tax relief for middle-class homeowners, Governor Corzine said:

"I want to convey in the strongest possible terms, my commitment to using these recovered resources to provide middle class homeowners with much needed property tax relief.

Let me be clear. When revenues fell, the last item we cut was prop tax relief. Now that we’ve recovered some lost revenues the first thing we will restore is prop tax relief.

Further, we must not and we will not return to past practices. Today is June 18th not December 25th – we will not be buying a Christmas tree. The money belongs to the taxpayers and we are going to give it back to them in property tax relief.

To any special interest groups that might want to line up, let me also be clear: I will do everything in my power to make certain that recovered funds are directed to property tax relief."

Click below to hear the news directly from Governor Corzine:

AFL-CIO endorses Gov. Corzine
June 17, 2009

Governor Jon Corzine received the endorsement of the New Jersey AFL-CIO yesterday at the labor group's annual conference in Atlantic City.

Read the Press of Atlantic City coverage of the endorsement:

Watch Governor Jon Corzine talk to the AFL-CIO about his first job in "It's Fighting Time":

Video of Governor Corzine's Election Night Speech
June 4, 2009

Part One:


Part Two:


Part Three:

DailyKos.com: Kicking off my re-election campaign
June 2, 2009

Link to full post

Since my last race in 2005, the Netroots has exploded and become a force to be reckoned with. It's pretty clear to me that the Republican Party is on the ropes and that Daily Kos and the rest of the progressive online community played a big part in making that happen.

Now, we need to keep them there.

Make no mistake, New Jersey is Priority One for the national Republican operation right now. As one of only two state-wide races in 2009 -- and as the only incumbent Democratic Governor up for re-election during this tough economic climate -- you can bet that the national Republican party is going to throw everything that they've got into winning this race.

A Republican win in New Jersey has very real consequences for this community. It means another Governor who will be an obstacle to President Obama and to the progressive policies that this community has worked so hard to advance. It will also mean endless talk of a Republican "recovery" and a turning of the tide, which we all know to be false.

Most importantly, a Republican win is going to hurt New Jersey's middle class and working families because both of their candidates are throw-backs to the failed policies of the Bush Administration, are out of step with the direction of the country, and have no interest in working with President Obama and the Democratic Party.

In fact, Mitt Romney, Steve Forbes, and Rudy Giuliani campaigned for one of the nominees during the primary, while Joe the Plumber and the founder of the Minutemen Militia campaigned for the other. You can't get more out of step than that.

Today, I’m officially kicking off my campaign for re-election, and I hope that I can count on your support.

This is my first campaign since the progressive online community really exploded, so I realize that I’m the new guy at Daily Kos and, understandably, that you may have some questions about me or about my record.

I respect that. I want to answer whatever questions you might have and share some of my administration's remarkable accomplishments of the past four years so that we can work together to continue moving New Jersey -- and our country -- forward.

In the end, I think that you'll see that my record is strong and that I've stood up for the core progressive values that bind this community together: equal rights and opportunity for all, fiscal responsibility, making government work more effectively, ensuring all our children -- regardless of where they live -- have access to a quality education, and protecting the most vulnerable among us.

New Jersey led the nation in anticipating and responding to the economic crisis by passing the first in the nation economic recovery plan back in October, and we have continued to aggressively confront these challenges without sacrificing our principles.

I'm a proud Democrat and a proud progressive. I'd like the opportunity to serve the people of New Jersey during a time of economic prosperity, with a friend in the White House, and in step with the progressive direction of the country.

I'm hoping that this community can help make that goal a reality.

You can learn more about me, the work we've done, my ideas for the future, and much more, in an exclusive web-only interview, available here.

I've put together a team that believes in the netroots, and they've made me a believer as well. We've got a lot planned for Kos, Blue Jersey, and other online outlets in the weeks and months ahead, and I'll be participating here regularly.

I hope you'll check out the just-launched, all-new JonCorzine09.com, and consider getting involved in the campaign. You can also follow our campaign on various social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter, Ning, Black Planet, AsianAve, MiGente, YouTube, and LinkedIn. I thank you for the opportunity to participate in this community, and I'll post again very soon.

BlueJersey.com: Before we kick off our campaign, a personal thank you.
June 1, 2009

Click here for the original post.

As many of you know, I'm officially kicking off my campaign for re-election tomorrow.

I originally intended to post on Blue Jersey today in an attempt to get you revved up for the campaign ahead, to share with you some inspiring insight into the progressive connection that binds us together, and to praise this community for its dedication to progressive principles -- all in the hopes that you'll consider standing together with me and my team during what promises to be a difficult campaign season.

But the more I thought on it, the truth is that over the last four years Blue Jersey has consistently held my feet to the fire; you've gotten involved and you've made your voice heard when you didn't like a decision I've made, even when it wasn't necessarily what me and my staff wanted to hear.

And, for that, you don't deserve political platitudes. You deserve my thanks.

So much of governing and politics today is so carefully crafted and managed that the question more often asked is "what's the right message?" instead of just, "what's right?"

Not so at Blue Jersey. You push our leaders to do better and, more importantly, to do what's right.

And, in spite of the times we've disagreed, you've been there for me when I've needed you, and you've also given my staff (and me) great satisfaction when we do something that elicits a positive review from this community.

Now, you know that I'm not necessarily known for my rousing speeches, or for being able to slickly rattle off sound bites like some other political candidates. But I think it's important that you know my record and you know what I stand for.

Since day one, I have tried to do the right thing for this state and to stay true to the progressive values that we share:


Now, that's the policy. Let's talk about the politics.

With only two high profile national races this November, the Republican Party will put a tremendous amount of time, energy, resources and money into this race. In fact, they already have. And if their candidate wins, they will point to this race as a "turning point," "evidence of a resurgence," or a "rebuke of Obama and the Democratic Party."

So while I can't promise you that we'll accomplish all of my initiatives during a second Corzine term, I can promise you that a Republican Governor will NOT continue any of these important programs and initiatives, will NOT stand up for the progressive values that you and I share, and will NOT work with President Obama to keep New Jersey ahead of the curve during the economic recovery.

This state and this community simply cannot afford that, and that's why I'm going to need your help.

How you can help

We need to make sure that the Corzine record is known and that untrue claims and attacks do not go unchallenged on forums, blogs, and news article comments. Winning the online discussion is an important part of our campaign's overall communication strategy, and I'm hoping that we can count on you to get involved to help make that happen.

In addition to writing about this race on Blue Jersey, I want to encourage you to speak out for the campaign as a commenter on other NJ politics forums and news stories and to reach out to your friends and other online writers. (Send those comments and posts to the team and we'll put them up on the campaign website.) You can also follow our campaign on various social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter, Ning, Black Planet, AsianAve, MiGente, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

I'm thankful for the support that I've gotten from Blue Jersey, and, just as importantly, for the tough critiques. I hope that I can count on that same passion during the campaign, and if you're interested in getting involved online, please send an email to the interactive team at Netroots@JonCorzine09.com.

I hope that you will help me continue what I started four years ago. I know that if I am able to serve as Governor during good economic times and with a progressive agenda that supports the state's middle class and business growth, we can continue to do what's right for New Jersey.

Campaign Blog: Princeton Dems. take a break from summer to phone bank for Gov. Corzine
May 29, 2009

Classes may have ended at Princeton University, but members of the College Democrats were hard at work this week, spreading the word about our upcoming campaign event featuring rock legend Jon Bon Jovi. The New Jersey native is performing a rare acoustic set to help launch Governor Corzine's re-election campaign!



With just 7 days until the big show, the “Blue Tigers” couldn’t hold back their excitement. They took a break from summer to join an on-campus phone bank and tell supporters how to be a part of this exciting event. Watch the video above to see one enthusiastic volunteer’s rendition of “Living on a Prayer”.

Want to see the real thing? Check out the event page to get your tickets!

www.JonCorzine09.com/Events/60409JonBonJovi

Seats are limited, so hurry! This special performance in support of Governor Corzine is Thursday, June 4 at the NJ Performing Arts Center in Newark. Doors open at 6pm.

Our friends at Princeton and volunteers all across New Jersey are helping to re-elect Governor Corzine, visit www.JonCorzine09.com to learn how you can help!

BlueJersey.com: Your Comments
April 7, 2009

I posted my first diary here at Blue Jersey the day before I delivered my budget address, and since that time I have been busy meeting with working class families across the state to discuss how we can, together, best guide New Jersey through this national economic recession.

I'm excited to have that conversation here as well, and for the opportunity to restart my relationship with this community. I'm also thankful for the kind words and encouragement I received in response to my first post. My team and I have many things that we'd like to do with Blue Jersey in the coming months, and your energy and passion make me excited about becoming a regular contributor and participant on this site.

I've put together a team that believes in the netroots, and they've made me a believer as well. We've set up Netroots@JonCorzine09.com specifically for members of this community, so if you have additional comments, want to get involved, or just to share your ideas with my interactive team, please shoot us an email. Consider it your backstage pass.

All of that said, I wanted to take the opportunity today to make good on the title of my last diary, and to begin a real conversation by responding to several of the topics raised in my last post.

(Please note, I know that a number of you wrote to me to share your thoughts on various topics related to taxes. I am planning a diary specifically addressing those comments and to share additional thoughts soon).

On Making the Right Choices:
"I continue to be impressed by your skill in handling New Jersey's fiscal crisis. You have demonstrated your ability to make tough, even unpopular, decisions that result in good policy. As the campaign accelerates, my concern is that many New Jerseyans are missing that fundamental fact. I understand that recessions are never favorable times for incumbents, but your skill at handling the budget should make you an exception. You inherited a fiscal mess and you're cleaning it up. I wish you would do a better job communicating that to the people of our great state." -- vincent.solomeno

Here's the thing about being an elected official: at any given time, chances are pretty good that some number of people are going to be upset with the decisions that you make and I agree these are not necessarily good times to run as an incumbent.

However, my focus has been, and continues to be, on our State's economy. In the middle of this national economic recession it is important for us to focus on doing whatever we can to ensure New Jersey's families are able to heat their homes, feed their children and find jobs.

I'm also hopeful that people will understand that since I was first elected Governor, I have been focused on doing what is right for the state of New Jersey, even if they haven't grabbed headlines.

Remember, unlike other states in the middle of this national economic recession, New Jersey is avoiding tax increases on everyone except millionaires. Also, we were the first state to introduce an economic stimulus package, which will allow us to be in position to take advantage when the national economic climate turns around. We are creating and protecting tens of thousands of jobs, while keeping people employed. We are also keeping our state competitive with good schools and better health care.

I'm proud the things that my colleagues and I have accomplished and the differences that we have made in the lives of regular New Jerseyans, and I hope that I can count on Blue Jersey writers to help me spread the word over the coming months.

On Education:
"I thank you for sparing New Jersey's higher education institutions from mid-year budget reductions, and I urge you to refrain as much as possible from more cuts that limit our institution's ability to adequately educate our future workforce." -- mconvente, a student member of HESAA-SAC

Michael, our education system is of utmost importance to me and the people of New Jersey. I look at delivering an equal education opportunity for all our young people as not only the right thing to do, but also as a way to answer the concerns of working class families across the state.

To reflect that priority, my 2009 budget increases spending in classrooms for public schools by $374 million, and it also increases college tuition aid grants by $37 million. As you know, HESAA helps New Jersey?s neediest students and we share a commitment to making sure all New Jersey students have the opportunity to go to college. By investing in education, we are investing in our future and laying the groundwork for an economic recovery.

On Furloughs:
"Your employees will be part of the solution not part of the problem. As a state worker I will gladly accept a wage freeze and a furlough if this is what is needed to save jobs." -- firstamend07

First off, firstamend07, thank you for your service to the state. Your comments are actually not all that different from what I've heard from many other state employees. I think people have realized that as drastic as this step might be, it's far better than adding even more people to the unemployment line in the middle of a national recession.

People want jobs. People want healthcare. To that end, we did our best to avoid layoffs of state workers and instead have asked for a wage freeze and a furlough. It?s a sacrifice by everyone in order to keep our state workers delivering needed services. I?m not happy to have to make these tough decisions, but I feel that we have done the right thing by keeping people working.

Before I Go:
Let me just say that developing a budget this year was a very challenging task, and I want to commend my team for drafting a budget that does what's right for New Jersey while retaining our core values of nurturing children, honoring seniors and protecting those who have been hit hardest by this national recession. If we keep those values in mind, the result of our work will be something about which we can all be proud.

But make no mistake, we've got big challenges ahead, as well as a big opportunity to push our progressive agenda forward, and so it's more critical than ever that we keep our eye on the big picture and work together.

I will continue to participate here as often as possible, and please don't hesitate to leave comments or to send me and the Interactive Team an email.

Thanks Blue Jersey. Talk to you soon.

Jon Corzine

BlueJersey.com: Starting The Conversation
March 9, 2009

First of all, let me say that I'm pleased to be here on Blue Jersey. I intend this to be the beginning of a long, substantive conversation.

For today, let's talk big picture. The year ahead is a critical one for our state and the actions we take in the weeks and months to come will outline our priorities and our values. This is a moment that will define who we are as a state, and as a people.

We must meet that moment. Tomorrow, I will deliver my executive budget and begin the process of addressing our state's $7 billion deficit.

While New Jersey is significantly better off than many other states because of the action my colleagues in the legislature and I have taken during the past three years, there will still be some tough choices that need to be made. But I am committed to doing what?s right.

Although times are tough, New Jersey remains ahead of the curve in dealing with this national recession, and my responsibility as Governor is to insure that we stay on a course for fiscal prosperity into the future while insuring that New Jersey families have the support that they need.

This isn't going to be easy. There are big challenges ahead, and I am going to need your help.

I'm very pleased to be here at Blue Jersey and I am asking for everyone to join me in this conversation. I am going to be regularly sharing the details of my budget, initiatives, and ideas. I want to encourage you to share your thoughts with me via your comments here, via my website or by sending an email to JSC@JonCorzine09.com. I'll be responding often.

Please stand with me, our state leaders, and our Democratic partners in Washington DC as we confront these challenges. There is far too much riding on the year ahead to sit on the sidelines.