In another spectacular example of the lack of fitness of our legislators to exhibit any sort of trustworthiness to properly handle the state’s fiscal affairs, we now hear that unless additional revenue is found, New Jersey could lose $1.6 billion in federal funds to be used for replacing bridges, aging roads and transit facilities. What happened to the money the state has been taking from us over the years that was supposed to go into the Transportation Trust Fund?
Oh, that money was used to pay for other things Trenton opted to spend it on, thank you. Apparently, the only way we can force any kind of fiscal responsibility on these people is to mandate that collected revenues be constitutionally dedicated for the sole purpose for which it was collected.
How many other trust funds have been raided over the years by our profligate legislators? To protect ourselves in the future, perhaps all revenues should be treated the same way. Then, maybe the Legislature will learn to live within its means.
Joel Bohm Manalapan