Posted on Tue, Jan. 13, 2009
TRENTON - Gov. Corzine, facing state budget problems in a grim economy, will highlight some of the things going right in New Jersey today in his third state-of-the-state speech.
"My job is to properly address challenges, but also speak to the fact that much is going well," Corzine said yesterday of the speech.
He cited education, where he has spent considerable energy, as one area where he feels accomplishments should be noted.
Still, in recent appearances Corzine has said repeatedly that the economy is his "No. 1, 2 and 3" priority, and that issue will likely guide much of today's address.
New Jersey, like many states, faces fallout from the economic crisis, including job losses and widening budget deficits. Political watchers see the economy as the overriding issue at play in campaigns this fall, when Corzine runs for re-election and all 80 Assembly seats are up for grabs.
"The most important thing is, 'What can we do to get ahead of our [economic] situation?'" said Senate President Richard J. Codey (D., Essex).
Corzine was still crafting his speech early yesterday evening, but two people familiar with drafts of the address said it was likely to highlight recent steps to soften the economic blows to the state and point out other areas where the governor can claim success.
"You can't run for re-election without saying that you have got some things right," said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University polling institute.
The sources familiar with Corzine's speech, who were granted anonymity so they could talk more freely, said the governor would acknowledge the dire fiscal environment, but also point to initiatives such as a foreclosure-aid program and business lending plans that are meant to help New Jerseyans cope.
On education, Corzine has revamped school funding and pushed through a $3.9 billion borrowing plan to build schools.
He has cited the construction program as necessary for education and as a job-creation tool.
Corzine, who has delivered a series of grim budget and state-of-the-state speeches in his three years in office, sounded a note of optimism when talking to reporters yesterday.
"I believe we will get through this and recover strongly," Corzine said.
The governor's speech will be shown live today at 1 p.m. on NJN.
The positives Corzine singles out will likely provide a glimpse into his re-election efforts this year, Murray said.
"He has to make reference to the economy, but he's going to make reference to some other accomplishments he's made over the first three years of his term, and that will clue us in to what some of the strategy will be," Murray said.
Last year, Corzine used his state-of-the-state speech to unveil a long-awaited toll road plan with massive implications, but this year the budget and economy have occupied nearly all of state government's attention.
He is hoping to delay formal introduction of his new budget until late March, meaning there are likely to be few, if any, additional details forthcoming today.
Corzine was expected to use the forum today to try to breathe life back into two proposals that have met with cool receptions in the Legislature: ethics reform and a pension-payment deferral for local governments.
Murray said that few members of the public pay close attention to the formal addresses unless there is a major initiative included, but that the political class watching today "will be paying attention to read the tea leaves."
Contact staff writer Jonathan Tamari at 609-989-9016 or jtamari@phillynews.com.
Inquirer staff writer Adrienne Lu contributed to this report.
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