Tax burden not likely to lessen with new tax panel

New Jersey's answer to the tax dilemma has been drastically changed. Previously there was the belief that the future held opportunity for improvement over the current disastrous taxation without representation.

Gov. [Jon] Corzine spoke eloquently about the future and how special tax panels were going to ferret out the problems plaguing the system. One had hoped that the tax panels appointed by the legislative leadership were going to represent the interests of the tax-paying public. I even thought they might have the audacity to challenge the New Jersey Supreme Court and their unconstitutional decisions on Abbott districts.

Surprise, surprise. The legislative leadership rigged the panels so that the public/taxpayers have little or no hope of seeing anything which would lessen the tax burden. Membership on the committees is heavily Democrat (two to one).

No change will come, because only one panelist is not beholden to the political action committees that feed them. Swillers all, except for Sen. Nicholas P. Scutari (D-Union). Twenty-four senators and assembly members were anointed to represent the overtaxed and often lied-to public. Membership on the committees consists of one member who is under the thumb of the New Jersey State Policemen's Bene-volent Association, one member indebted to the Communications Workers of America, two members owned by the New Jersey Builders Association, five members operated by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association and believe it or not, 14 wholly-owned subsidiaries of the New Jersey Education Association.

Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, your friend from the New Jersey tax collectors who is here to help you, all of these would better serve the interests of the New Jersey taxpayer. What happened, Senate President [Richard] Codey? What happened, Assembly Speaker [Joseph] Roberts? What happened, Gov. Corzine?

Each of you vowed to improve the lot of the people who elected you. You were parties to the rip-off of the public with your charades about the budget. You were parties to the closing of the parks, the casinos, the state lottery and the loss of public protection during your snits.

Gov. Corzine, you called this fiasco into session. You have to get the public represented. Call your union girlfriend and see if she is willing to back off to let the job get done. Don't expect any help from your "do all evil" attorney general. She is too busy covering her oversized ego. Wall Street must have someone with brains and maybe even some integrity you can call.

Citizens of New Jersey may be tolerant, but we are not stupid. Senior citizens can't wait forever. Taxes come due, doctors take their toll. Life goes on. End this tax rip-off right now.

Robert A. Brown

Edison