Cross-Posted from DanCirucci.com
New Jersey GOP gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli has picked his running mate and he and Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon (Jack & Jim) certainly seem to be within striking distance of toppling the Democrat party’s grip on NJ’s statehouse.
So, let’s take a page from our optimistic friend Matt Rooney at Save Jersey and think about what a Red New Jersey should look like. Here are some audacious, outside-the-box ideas Jack and Jim might want to advance. These are ideas that go to the heart of our affordability crisis and put New Jersey and New Jerseyans first:
Freeze salaries for all state employees. Freeze these now pending a complete budget review and thorough audit. Establish a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for New Jersey. Inefficient and unnecessary departments and agencies can and should be streamlined, consolidated or dismantled outright.
Free beaches for New Jerseyans, everywhere. In the majority of our nation’s coastal states citizens have unrestricted, free access to the beaches. Not so throughout much of New Jersey where access to many of the beaches can only be gained via a beach tag that you need to purchase. At least for all New Jersey residents (goodness knows we pay enough in taxes and fees) this practice should end. Beach tags should be free for those whose primary residence is in New Jersey. All others should pay for beach access where such fees are in effect.
Free access to state parks, lakes, etc. for New Jerseyans. Except for overnight accommodations for cabins, etc. all fees for state parks, lakes and other facilities should be eliminated for New Jersey residents. We don’t even have that many state recreational facilities so those that we have should be free. Out-of-staters of course would still have to pay where such fees are applicable.
End the onerous automatic gas tax hikes. Somewhere along the line, though a complicated formula enacted when no one was looking, an automatic gas tax hike was approved by the state legislature. This is a copout and it should be sunsetted.
Raise the speed limit. The maximum speed limit on most New Jersey highways is 65 mph. On roads such as the Garden State Parkway, the Atlantic City Expressway and the New Jersey Turnpike that limit should be raised to 70 mph which is the standard in 23 other states. Right now, 39 other states have a higher speed limit than New Jersey — some as high as 75 mph or even 80 mph!
End the automatic toll hikes. Similarly automatic hikes have been enacted on toll roads. Not only should those automatic hikes be sunsetted but, with EZ Pass, tolls should be halved for all New Jersey residents all the time. It’s time to give something back to the beleaguered tax and toll plagued residents of this state!
No property tax for seniors below a certain income level who have already paid New Jersey property taxes for 30 consecutive years or more. Above the income level, and with the same consecutive year stipulation, property taxes can be reduced on a sliding scale up to a certain percentage.
Pump your own gas? Let the people decide! Currently, New Jersey is the only state in the US where it is illegal to pump your own gas. Oregon used to be the other state with this restriction, but it lifted its ban in 2023. It’s time to put this up to a vote and let the people of New Jersey decide whether or not they want to pump their own gas, perhaps with the stipulation that the savings accrued by eliminating attendants be used to lower gas prices.
Take a closer look at marijuana legalization. The use of recreational marijuana in New Jersey and its repercussions remains an area of critical concern. The whole system seemed to be adopted far too quickly and maybe even capriciously. A “marijuana lounge” will now open near me and increasingly I hear of marijuana users driving under the influence. It all seems to be far too accessible especially when you consider that a majority of the states do not permit recreational marijuana use. Plus, the long term medical effects of such use are troubling. Legalization should be revisited without delay.
Permit the widespread sale of beer and wine in supermarkets and convenience stores. No, this does not negate or contradict what I’ve observed about marijuana. In many states where pot is still illegal, beer and wine are readily available in supermarkets and convenience stores. Alcoholic beverages have been legal since the end of prohibition in 1933. But in New Jersey, convenience stores generally cannot sell beer and wine for off-premises consumption. State law limits the number of retail distribution licenses that can be held by a single entity, typically restricting these to liquor stores and, in limited cases, supermarkets. While some legislation has been proposed to enact a broader sale (as is the case in many other states) it has not been enacted in New Jersey. It’s time to enact that legislation.
End the plastic bag ban. The ban is stupid and cosmetic. It’s virtue signaling, pure and simple — nothing more! And, carting your own sloppy bags around is an unsanitary nuisance. Jack Ciattarelli says he will end the ban on Day One if he’s elected. We should hold him to this and in the meantime he should press his opponent on this issue.
Free public transportation for seniors. In nearby Pennsylvania (which enjoys much lower property taxes) fixed-route local public transportation is free for all senior citizens. If they can do it, why can’t we? Let’s enact this free service for seniors now.
End the tax funded four day teachers’ holiday. Under NJ state law public school teachers are given paid time off in November to attend the annual New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) convention in Atlantic City. Since the free days are Friday and Saturday, this gives the teachers a four-day weekend and effectively closes all public schools. It also needlessly interrupts the classroom schedule and extends the length of the school year. The NJEA is a radical, far left, partisan political organization and should not be subsidized in this way by taxpayers. Furthermore, teachers can easily avail themselves of the professional enrichment they need either online, in the summer or during other non-school hours. This law should be repealed.
If you’ve lived in New Jersey for any length of time you know that there are lots of people waiting to tell us why any (if not all) of these things cannot be done. Excuses, excuses! That’s nonsense! What we need is bold leadership that shows us how they can be done. It’s time!
