NJ Needs Guts to Return to Glory in 2015, Says Sen. Robert Singer
New Jersey's spending priorities and habits will need grueling scrutiny if the state economy stands any chance of regaining its health, in the view of shore State Senator Robert Singer (R-30).
In the December 24 edition of Townsquare Tonight, Singer focused on several key pieces of legislation that bear considerable impact on life at the shore in 2015, and brought his considered opinion to hot-button topics such as the future of Atlantic City and its repercussions on taxpayers.
Throughout his career, which also includes extensive years as a Lakewood Township Committeeman, Singer has cultivated a reputation not as someone who rides the zeitgeist, but who understands what creates it and will speak candidly about it.
"We need to take a hard look at Atlantic City," he suggested. "It was overbuilt with casinos, it was mismanaged, we saw a number of Mayors end up in jail...but there's always a light at the end of the tunnel."
Much of the glow originates at Stockton State College, which is turning a dormant casino into a campus, Singer said. "Stockton also owns Seaview, the country club they bought because they're an excellent school of hotel and motel management...That's the kind of thinking we need," he said.
Singer's observations that a transition from failed gaming mecca to budding cosmopolitan center meshes directly with vision offered by the city's Mayor, Don Guardian, who envisions a community using ethnic diversity to develop employment opportunities, attracting college-age students who can stay to raise families, and offering a first-class spot for retirees to live out their golden years. Casinos, in his view, should be amenities, not economic necessities.
But should the transformation be fueled by state subsidies? First, let's see what a budget for that would look like, Singer said. "Show me how the money's going to be spent. Show me what kind of return we get on the money. Show me commitments."
In Atlantic City or anywhere in the state, the dissipated Transportation Trust Fund's impact looms in decaying roads and bridges, with no way to pay for repairs. A gasoline tax hike has gathered tremendous momentum over months of simmering on the legislative cooker. Singer opposes it, and conditions in his home base fuels his criticsm.
"Where do we benefit in Monmouth and Ocean? We don't," Singer said. "Look at Route 9. They're putting money into the Garden State Parkway...and I agree with that. What about Route 9? Nothing but nothing but nothing. It's still two lanes through half of Lakewood and to south of the county...I'm tired of people saying, 'We'll do something in the future.' The future is now."
The Equitable Permit Extension Act (A-4024), sponsored in the Assembly by north Jersey Democrats Mila Jasey and L.Grace Spencer, has Singer's enthusiastic support in its applications for shore homeowners desperately trying to finish rebuilding Superstorm-damaged homes before permits expire.The current applicable law sunsets on January 1.
"We have grave concerns in the Ocean and Monmouth area because of the disastrous Sandy storm, and just how many builders have not been able to recover or come back and start building yet. We want to extend [it] for an additional two years."
Singer views construction as the shore's largest economic driver, but adds that the extension would offer an opportunity to apply the economic advantages statewide. He acknowledges environmental opposition, but counters that a two-year window doesn't pose an ecological threat anywhere near as great as the economic setbacks of re-applying for a myriad of permits.
There is a lot more to the program. Use the links below to listen.
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