TOM KEAN: CORZINE’S POLICIES DRIVE UNEMPLOYMENT TO HISTORIC LEVELS

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement regarding news that New Jersey’s unemployment rate has surged to 7.1 percent.

“Only last week, in his State of the State speech, Governor Corzine boasted that by almost any measure New Jersey was doing far better economically than both the nation as a whole and our immediate neighbors. Yet here we are only eight days removed from that speech and New Jersey’s unemployment rate has surged to 7.1 percent.

“The Governor’s taxes, tolls, debt and spending policies have hobbled our economy. The consequences of these choices are negative economic growth, higher unemployment and rapidly expanding budget shortfalls.

“New regulations and taxes that stifle economic growth are still being enacted in New Jersey. The new COAH regulations adopted this July are another nail in the coffin of what was once the most vibrant economy in the nation.

“Until New Jersey’s leaders find the political will and courage to enact true economic reforms, like additional spending cuts, pension reforms and other proposals for spending restrain, we will continue to suffer under high property taxes, growing unemployment and general economic stagnation.”