FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 1/15/08

Contact: Regina Perry, Public Information Officer

               973-266-5339/Office

               973-449-4876/Cell

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Governor Corzine Visits East Orange

EAST ORANGE, N.J. – Saturday, January 12, 2008, prior to the scheduled Essex County’s Town Hall Meeting in Livingston, Governor Jon Corzine made a special visit to the City of East Orange to discuss economic restructuring and debt reduction issues.  Mayor Robert L. Bowser, and the members of the East Orange City Council were on hand to greet and introduce the Governor to the standing room only crowd of residents.

“We must change the ‘credit card’ culture of New Jersey’s finances…our fiscal practices, balance sheet, and most vitally, our culture must be restructured. The State is in a hole, and if we want to get out, we have to stop digging.” Corzine noted.

Also, while explaining the importance of balancing the State’s deficit Corzine pointed out, “This is not about getting votes. You don’t have to vote for me, I could just go lay on the beach somewhere, but the problem will still exist and has to be taken care of by whom ever comes into office.  This is what I do.”

The crowd appeared fairly satisfied by the answers the Governor gave to the questions presented. The Mayor asked a question that he contended will continue to be of concern, which was, in the event of a shortfall with the bonds, is there a guarantee in place that keeps the burden of repayment off the tax payers? The simple answer was yes.

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