In the comments section to my last post, Newark Hawk linked us to a PolitiFact New Jersey which Newark Hawk claims dispproves my post about Christ Christie. Here is the graph of budgets the past few years in New Jersey.
The last year that Jon Corzine was responsible for state budgets was FY2009, as the article in the link clearly notes. PolitiFact is contending that the budget in FY2014 will be higher than the budget was in FY2009. That is true, of course, if the FY2014 budget is executed. So the facts are:
FISCAL YEAR
|
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS
|
FY2008
|
$33.47 billion
|
FY2009
|
$32.86 billion
|
FY2010
|
$28.99 billion
|
FY2011
|
$28.36 billion
|
FY2012
|
$29.69 billion
|
FY2013
|
$31.65 billion
|
FY2014
|
$32.97 billion
|
Sources: New Jersey Office of Legislative Services Summary Of Appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2008-2014
The last year that Jon Corzine was responsible for state budgets was FY2009, as the article in the link clearly notes. PolitiFact is contending that the budget in FY2014 will be higher than the budget was in FY2009. That is true, of course, if the FY2014 budget is executed. So the facts are:
1. The NJ state budget is currently still lower than when Chris Christie entered office.
2. That will likely change in FY20014.
3. The change from FY2014 from FY2009 is roughly one-third of one percent. Keep that number in mind for a moment.
Newark Hawk asserts that Christie´s spending will be bigger in 2014 than Jon Corzine´s budget was in 2009. "And Corzine was a BIG SPENDING LIBERAL DEMOCRAT." Boom! End of discussion.
Actually, not. There are these things called population growth and inflation. And they typically happen in every state. Nobody has ever asserted that the NJ state budget will never be higher than when Chris Christie entered office. What is remarkable is the fact that five years later the budget might increase by one-third of one percent. And this is New Jersey, folks. It´s a "give me, give me" state.
How about we compare NJ with, I don´t know, say Texas (and we run this little comparison with a number of conservative states and get the same result), a God-fearing, belt-tightening state boom on conservative euphoria. In fact, we are continuously told by Rick Perry that businesses should move to Texas because the taxes are low and government spending is at a minimum. Gov. Perry (and I think I agree with him on this one) has stated over and over that spending should not rise faster than the population growth and inflation. And he has been a man of his word. According to PolitiFact, Texas´ budgets have not risen more than 8.7% the past few years, lower than the 9.85% population growth/inflation rate current in Texas.
Now, I don´t know NJ´s population growth or inflation rate. However, I have a hard time seeing how Rick Perry can have on average 8% increases in his annual budgets and still be considered conservative but Chris Christie´s 0.3% increase after FIVE years should be seen as spending more than a BIG SPENDING LIBERAL DEMOCRAT.
No, the real truth is that "moderate" Republicans get more conservative results than "conservatives."
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10 comments:
Pablo, you may be better off citing the moderate R governors in the upper midwest as proof. Also, the argument might be better framed as economic or fiscal cons vs social cons.
Cimbri, was my argument here difficient? I agree there are many moderate R governors that I could cite. I cite Christie because he is the biggest. He does a better jobs than the "conservative" governors and especially the "conservative" talkers in Congress.
And I reject the dichotomy. Northern governors are at a disadvantage when it comes to social issues. Christie has vetoed several attempts to legalize gay marriage, but it is harder for the Northern governors. Also, socon issues are going to play less of a role in future GOP. I don´t hear Cruz and Paul leading the fight on socon issues either.
Class post Pablo. Well researched and explained.
"He does a better jobs than the "conservative" governors and especially the "conservative" talkers in Congress." Again, no proof of this fact, just empty talk. How about comparing apples to apples?
OJ:
I don´t know how much more apple to apple my comparison could be --
Christie: 0.33% increase to state budget in FIVE years
Perry: on average 8% increase to state budget ANUALLY
I have no problem with Perry´s position, by the way. He is actually doing a good job of keeping the Texan government from growing too much. But if he is the conservative one, then what is Christie?
First of all, I am not a Perryite per se. I agree with some of the things that he is doing and disagree with others, he seems to be getting results, although I minght not agree with all of his result.
As for New Jersey, yes, Mr. Christie is making some progress and yes, he is making progress despite challenges that he faces. However, I think the governors that are making real fiscal progress are Right Wingers like Mr. Walker, Mr. Kasich and Mrs. Martinez. Even they are not quite as Right Wing as I would like but they are making fiscal progress. You cannot convince the average Ohioan that Mr. Kasich has not greatly inproved the fiscal climate in my state. The state's rainy day fund is booming and job creation is doing well. Again, things are not perfect years, but Right Wing governors are up for the challenge.
Does anyone really think Christie could make it through a primary and general without multiple temper tantrums?
Anyone wonder why the MSM hasn't really gone after Christie like some of the other potential 2016 GOP candidates?
Something to ponder....
but.."Mr. Walker, Mr. Kasich and Mrs. Martinez." = all would be laughed at v Hillary. The coffee's on, time to wake up.
"The coffee's on" Since when did you before a coffeeite?
"Does anyone really think Christie could make it through a primary and general without multiple temper tantrums?" He is the loosest cannon and thus has linited appeal beyond his left wing base.
On June 29, 2009, big spending Democrat Governor JON CORZINE signed New Jersey's fiscal year 2010 budget bill:
http://www.njsendems.com/photo.asp?PAID=85
http://neighborhoodeffects.mercatus.org/2009/07/01/governor-corzine-signs-new-jerseys-fy-2010-budget/
In 3 of his 4 annual budgets from 2011-14, Governor Christie OUTSPENT Governor Corzine's 2010 budget.
Governor Christie's 2014 budget is 14% HIGHER than Governor Corzine's 2010 budget.
So much for the urban legend that Governor Christie is a "budget-cutting fiscal hawk", a truly laughable notion if there ever was one.
I stand by my earlier comment on this subject.
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