I’m usually flabbergasted when people ask me, "Why are you still supporting Gov. Jon Corzine? What has he done?" The question baffles me not because Corzine hasn’t done anything, but because he’s accomplished so much.

Corzine has added over 16,000 private sector jobs and has kept New Jersey’s unemployment rate below the national average. At the same time, he has improved state government efficiency by eliminating unnecessary public sector jobs. Corzine’s accomplishments in education are similarly impressive. He has increased state aid for education by $1.8 billion, including significant increases in funding of new school construction and $50 million in increased funding for preschools.

Some have criticized Corzine’s environmental record, but under the governor’s leadership, New Jersey has passed a Global Warming Response Act, installed more solar panels than any state other than California, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, his accomplishments run the gamut, from ethics (eliminating dual office-holding and loopholes in pay-to-play laws) to health care (providing universal access to health care for all children) to public safety.

Has Corzine solved all of New Jersey’s problems? No, but nobody could do that in four years. Has Corzine accomplished enough to merit a second term? Absolutely.

http://blog.nj.com/ledgerletters/2009/10/back_nj_open_space_bond_a_vote.html

Eddie Konczal, Monroe Township