New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine has led New Jersey during a time of political turbulence and economic upheaval, compiling an impressive record of achievements in the process. Corzine's first term as governor witnessed the creation of thousands of new private sector jobs, the establishment of a clean energy economy, and the launching of an economic assistance and recovery plan for the state of New Jersey. Despite a tough economic climate, Corzine increased preschool funding, established new charter schools, and helped provide universal health coverage for all children. On the environmental front, Corzine's green energy initiatives reduced greenhouse gases and resulted in a record number of solar panel installations (second only to California). Under Corzine, New Jersey became safer: tough anti-crime laws resulted in thousands of arrests and eliminated the supply of firearms for criminals through common-sense gun restrictions.

These are just a few of the impressive accomplishments from Jon Corzine's first term as governor of New Jersey.  Now, it's time to get the word about about Governor Corzine's record.  You can help: write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, explaining why you support Governor Corzine's re-election.

This page will compile information to help you write letters in support of Jon Corzine's gubernatorial campaign.  Please bookmark and visit this page often, since we will update the talking points and links sections as new information arrives.

Good luck and hope to see you in print!

Write letters to local, state, and national publications, expressing your support for Jon Corzine's candidacy for governor.

In your letter, use some (not all) of the talking points (see below).  Two or three is a good number.  Keep your letter short and to the point.

For more background, see the articles linked at the end of this document.

Go to our NJ Media Corps Online Action Center to contact local or state media.

Go to the Congress.org Media Guide at http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/media/ to contact national media.

talking points

• Jon Corzine is committed to providing health care for our children and increasing funding for education.
• Corzine has helped pioneer a clean energy economy in New Jersey, which creates jobs, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and protects our environment.
• Governor Corzine will continue to support local law enforcement in order to keep New Jersey's communities safe.
• Governor Corzine will hold the line against property tax increases, and make the right choices to help New Jersey bounce back from the national recession.
• Jon Corzine will fight for tough gun safety laws to keep our streets safe. As the Governor said, “we must not rest, we must not equivocate, while the threat of gun violence remains on New Jersey streets.”
• Corzine is committed to improving the quality, affordability and accessibility to Health Care for New Jerseyans.

Corzine Achievements

• Economy

• Launched an economic assistance and recovery plan for New Jersey (the first of its kind in the nation).

• Added over 16,000 private sector jobs through business-friendly policies.

• Kept New Jersey's unemployment rate below the national average.

• Education

• Created a new school funding formula to give all children a chance at a first-rate education, regardless of where they live.

• Fought for substantial new funding for school construction.

• Increased state aid for education by $1.8 billion.

• Increased preschool funding by almost $50 million.

• Increased the number of charter schools by 34%.

• Environment

• Passed the Global Warming Response Act.

• Installed more solar panels than any state (other than California).

• Created a clean energy economy.

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

• Corzine and Weinberg have been recognized as leading champions for animal protection by the The Humane Society Legislative Fund, having both demonstrated a commitment to protecting animals from cruelty and abuse.

• Ethics

• Banned dual office holding.

• Closed loopholes in pay-to-play laws.

• Families

• Enacted a family leave law to allow families to care for family members and children.

• Helped create, preserve, or rehabilitate 30,284 affordable housing units for working families during his first term.
  

• Reformed the child welfare system.

• Increased the number of adoptions.

• Fiscal Policy

• Ended reliance on budget gimmicks.

• Eliminated "Christmas tree" spending.

• Passed a Constitutional amendment requiring voter approval for state borrowing.

• Increased efficiency in government and reduced 7,000 public sector jobs.

• Health Care

• Provided universal access to healthcare for all children.

• Expanding support for community health centers.

• Announced a plan to vaccinate all uninsured New Jersey residents against swine flu.

• Immigration

Established a Blue Ribbon Panel on Immigration Policy, which recommended strategies for successfully integrating New Jersey's immigrant population and dealt with complex issues such as education and healthcare.

• Public Safety

• Created a comprehensive anti-crime plan.

• Signed into law a “one handgun per month” bill designed to cut off the supply of weapons to career criminals.

• Promoted anti-crime initiatives that resulted in thousand of arrests, millions of dollars in drugs seized, and a 24% drop in New Jersey's homicide rate from 2008.

• Taxes

• Eased the property tax burden through structural reforms.

• Achieved the lowest property tax increase in nearly 10 years.

Important Links:

Corzine/Weinberg (Official Site):
http://www.joncorzine09.com

Corzine: Real Results for New Jersey
http://www.joncorzine09.com/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=cmpResults&s=corzine

Children only get one shot at being a child — one chance at a quality education
http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/commentary/gov-corzine-children-only-get-one-shot-at-being-a-child-one-chance-at-a-quality-education

Corzine takes credit for creation of 30,284 affordable houses and apartments during his term

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/corzine-takes-credit-for-creationof-30284-affordable-houses-and-apartments-during-his-term

Corzine wants to streamline creation of new charter schools
http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/corzine-wants-to-streamline-creation-of-new-charter-schools

Governor Corzine Signs Bills to Help Achieve Goals of the Energy Master Plan
http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/2009/approved/20090331c.html

Governor Signs Energy Savings Improvement Bill
http://www.njslom.org/ml012209.html

Governor speaks out for unions at local picnic
http://www.dailytargum.com/university/governor-speaks-out-for-unions-at-local-picnic-1.1868584

N.J. offers free swine-flu shots to uninsured 
http://www.nj.com/newark/index.ssf/2009/09/state_offers_free_swine_flu_sh.html

Report of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy
Executive Summary:
http://www.state.nj.us/publicadvocate/home/pdf/Executive%20Summary_final.pdf
Full Report: http://www.state.nj.us/publicadvocate/home/pdf/ipp_report_march.pdf