Governor Christie is in a dream world. Christie gave his last budget speech this week and it seems he is living in an alternate universe.
He basically did the standard song and dance, but he also wants money from Horizon to help pay for medical services access by the poor. Here is what he said, “No, what I propose today is that we work urgently to establish a permanent fund that Horizon would fund every year through their abundant surplus, provided by their 3.8 million New Jersey members, to support our most vulnerable population who access Charity Care and Medicaid.” No matter what the Governor says Horizon must maintain a surplus fund as required by federal law, so he is not realistic at all in what he wants Horizon to do.
Next he went on to say the following, “Today, I would propose we use this fund to help this population gain even greater access to in-patient and out-patient drug rehabilitation treatment. This is a public health crisis which is killing our citizens at an alarming rate. These funds could be used to provide the most vulnerable with access to treatment and hope for an even healthier future.” Governor what is more important than the grossly overtaxed constituents (IE the people of New Jersey) who have been suffering from an oppressive tax system that is getting worse every year or a small minority of those drug addicted individuals who do need help, but are such a small subset of our population that the state and federal government should be able already be able to pay for medical help.
In the mean time Christie and the legislature continue to ignore the financial truth that this state is headed toward a meltdown of its population’s pocketbooks. Please let us get real and address the long standing problem of high taxes and at the same time you could do something to help those who are drug addicts also.
Governor I know that you want to leave office with a political legacy and that you have decided to make it to help those who are drug addicted. You did this only after losing the nomination for the Presidency and nothing before that. So stop kidding yourself and get on the ball; fix our tax system now!
He did admit in his speech this, “Almost every new tax dollar that comes in has gone to pay for pensions, health benefits and debt service. In this budget, over 82%. Without further reforms, the State can simply not afford to meet its obligations.” You acknowledge that there is a problem, but you do not make it your top priority to fix this ominous tax and spend problem. Governor it is time for you to get realistic and work for a better New Jersey for everyone!
That is my opinion- Jumpin Jersey Mike
