Corzine shows no guts on tax reform

It hasn’t taken very long for Gov. Jon Corzine to show his true colors regarding his tax reform initiative. After ordering the Legislature into a special session to develop tax reforms, he now exhibits a recreant streak at the first and most important legislative proposal: the bloated pension system for public employees.

His statement asking the legislators to back off is very discouraging. Executive backbone is needed in these times of fiscal crisis. Sadly, the governor’s action shows that it is lacking.

Unless costs are reduced, no tax reform is possible. One wonders if the governor is serious about his pronouncements relative to tax reduction. If he balks at the first sign of a tough decision, there is no chance we will see real tax reform.

Frank J. Chrinko

Kendall Park section

of South Brunswick