State Sen. Turner: NJ must collect what's owed

New Jersey lawmakers continue to argue over the budget even though the state is currently owed more than $2 billion. New Jersey drivers owe more than $1.2 billion in surcharges from speeding tickets.

News 12 Staff

May 13, 2008, 11:27 PM

Updated 5,834 days ago

Share:

State Sen. Turner: NJ must collect what's owed
New Jersey lawmakers continue to argue over the budget even though the state is currently owed more than $2 billion. New Jersey drivers owe more than $1.2 billion in surcharges from speeding tickets. The state is also owed another $1.1 billion in back taxes. Many argue that money could go a long way in solving the budget problems, if the state could just collect it. Senator Shirley Turner (D-15th District) wants to know why the state is not getting the money it?s owed. ?That's almost $3 billion that people owe us and we should be doing more to collect that money aggressively, especially at a time when we're cutting vital programs,? says Turner. State Treasurer David Rousseau responded by saying, ?You're not going to get blood out of a stone. This is money from very low-income people. They're actually making the decision to drive illegally rather than pay that money.?Turner says she?s not convinced. She says people who owe the state should be made to pay something, even if it?s not the full amount.Rousseau, however, argues an amnesty program would send the wrong message to those who pay what they actually owe.


More from News 12
2:32
Keeping kids safe: Youth curfew now in effect for the city of Newark

Keeping kids safe: Youth curfew now in effect for the city of Newark

1:46
Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

2:16
Cloudy skies overnight; rainy weekend ahead for New Jersey

Cloudy skies overnight; rainy weekend ahead for New Jersey

0:42
NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

0:28
Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

0:27
Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

0:42
Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

0:30
Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

0:27
Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

2:02
Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

1:04
Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

0:49
Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

0:39
Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

0:28
GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

0:40
Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

3:21
Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

1:12
Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

0:18
South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

0:23
South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning