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The bad news is that we still face many more
formidable tests. The State Legislature
is working hard to address these challenges
and overcome new obstacles. One of the
biggest priorities is to address the property
tax pressure on our citizens. Under the
current tax system, the property tax funds 42%
of our government spending compared to a
national average of 29%. In 2002, the
poorest 20% of the residents paid 12.4% of
their income in state and local taxes.
This is unacceptable and demands immediate
attention.
A constitutional convention is needed to
address our state government's reliance on
property taxes as a means of income. We
need to prioritize our state services in order
to regain our footing. Trying to balance
our desires and needs for education, public
safety, and healthcare is an extremely
difficult task; however, separating our needs
from our wants is the key to controlling
government funding and spending.
An analysis by the New Jersey Policy
Perspective estimates that one in eight jobs
could be affected by off-shore outsourcing of
jobs. New Jersey residents should not
have hard work rewarded by unemployment.
In the coming months, we will consider state
proposals that would require employees of an
outsourced call center to identify their
employees and their foreign location.
However, the real challenge is making sure
that current and future workers are able to
transition into areas where skilled workers
are in demand. New projections from the
Bureau of Labor statistics estimate that jobs
in computer, math-related, and engineering
fields are expected to see above average
growth between now and 2012. If our
state is to continue its leadership position,
we must expand opportunities and accessibility
to lifelong education. If we fail, we
will be unprepared to compete in the global
economy we helped create.
Still there is room for plenty of optimism.
Competition may actually result in new
exciting breakthroughs in the communications
industry. Along with satellite
television and cable technologies, the
telephone industry is extending fiber optic
networks. This will bring video
programming and high speed internet services
to businesses and homes alike. Another
new and exciting program called "Metro
Step" targets minority students to the
auto industry. Young adults are gaining
diagnostic skills, computer skills and
analytical training for lifelong skills in an
area where technological employment
opportunity exists.
Lifelong learning will be critical to the new
economic order. In the legislature we
must search for the funds for the purpose of
retraining. Making higher education more
affordable is the key. The changes we
face will be difficult. It is our job as
legislators to help make sure as many people
as possible are prepared to meet the
challenges that come with change.
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