ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN LEADER ALEX DeCROCE

DeCROCE SAYS CORZINE NEEDS A REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE
TO PURSUE HIS REFORM AGENDA

Reacting to Governor Jon Corzine's decision to throw in the towel and settle for an appointed state comptroller to oversee state spending, Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce says one of the first actions the Assembly will take when Republicans regain control is to put the question of whether New Jersey should have an elected, independent spending watchdog to the voters.

"It's beginning to seem the best chance Governor Corzine has to implement sweeping ethics and fiscal reform is to deal with a Legislature controlled by Republicans because the leaders of his own party keep standing in his way," said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. "First they wanted to gut the pay-to-play law, instead of strengthening it. Now it appears the prospect of a strong independent financial auditor is too much for them to swallow."
The governor confirmed yesterday that will consider creating an appointed comptroller because Democrat legislative leaders are opposed to forming a new elected state office. As a candidate for governor, Corzine said he supported an amendment to the state constitution to create an elected comptroller who would investigate state finances and corruption. But, according to published reports, Assembly and Senate Democrats have blocked the proposal.

The Associated Press reported that Senate President Richard J. Codey is among those who contend an elected comptroller position could evolve into a political post and be used as a stepping stone to higher office.

"That's the whole point of electing a non-partisan comptroller," DeCroce said. "An appointed comptroller would be a political appointee. The public could never be sure such a person would not be influenced by party bosses or pull punches when dealing with the same administration he or she has to thank for a job."

DeCroce said a diligent comptroller who earns a reputation for cutting waste and fighting corruption could run for governor some day whether or not the person is elected or appointed. "And why not?" DeCroce asked. "The taxpayers want results. Anyone who earns their respect and confidence should consider higher office."

"There's no doubt in my mind that the school construction program became such a debacle and billions of tax dollars were squandered during the McGreevey administration because overseers did not want to embarrass the governor by exposing waste, fraud and abuse," DeCroce asserted. "We can't afford to turn a blind eye to the problem any longer."

The idea of an independent, elected state comptroller/auditor was advanced two years ago in the Assembly Republican Blueprint for Property Tax Reform.

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For more information contact:
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce / 973-984-0922
Assembly Republican Press Office / 609-292-5339