Concerning “Stop subsidizing mass transit at the expense of drivers,” a recent op-ed by Assemblyman Gregory McGuckin, R-Ocean.
If the assemblyman objects to using road toll revenue to fund non-road-related infrastructure projects, he should clarify and answer two additional questions: Is there need and value for the proposed project? If so, how do we fund that project — or any public program?
Those making the argument that South Jersey taxpayers get no value from a project that isn’t in their backyard, such as the Gateway rail tunnel — and therefore shouldn’t help fund it with New Jersey Turnpike Authority toll revenue — should consider a broader context. What about coastal beach replenishment projects, or subsidizing disaster recovery for developed, flood-prone tracts? I’d venture to guess those expensive projects bail out far fewer people than the inconvenience of potential failure of an antiquated rail tunnel under the Hudson River between North Jersey and New York City.
If the existing infrastructure fails, as it did with the New Orleans levees in Hurricane Katrina, we as a country are facing far more than inconvenience and massive non-recoverable expenses.
It is unfortunate that so many can only view their needs or benefits as the simplistic metric for for what needs to be done, and especially when they are political figures. To evaluate an issue, a minimally informed citizenry requires a public debate that goes beyond simple opposition that doesn’t frame the problem or provide ideas for solutions.
Steve Eisenberg, Bainbridge Island, Wash.
Murphy has proven he’s a train wreck
Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy, who is running for reelection, continues to wreak havoc in New Jersey. He is leading one of the worst post-COVID-19 economic recoveries among the states.
Perhaps what is worse is that New Jersey now has the second-highest all-time number of COVID deaths per 100,000 residents, but also ranks seventh in the country for total number of COVID deaths.
Murphy’s havoc doesn’t stop there. In the midst of all of the other crises facing our state, Murphy is spending taxpayer-funded federal COVID relief funds on aiding undocumented immigrants who do not qualify under other programs.
Murphy’s policies prioritize anything but New Jersey, leaving our state to suffer from his liberal agenda. He has raised taxes on businesses, even though one third of all small businesses in the state were closed down last year. Our state is also tied for the nation’s fourth highest unemployment rate.
Murphy’s disastrous approach to recovery continues for schools. JerseyCAN, a nonprofit advocacy group, found that during the first half of the 2020-2021 school year — when most school buildings were closed because of the pandemic — expected learning rates of New Jersey students in Grades 3-8 were down 30% in language arts and 36% in math.
Murphy is not a leader. He has dashed all hope of a successful recovery for our state.
Scott Stephens, Hillsborough
Endorse maximum vaccine dose to keep COVID away
To prevent further spread of the coronavirus, we should require everyone to get fully vaccinated — including a possible third dose — unless exempted by a sincerely held religious belief or medical condition.
We should write to our legislators and executives at all levels of government about this.
Alvin Blake, Iselin
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