Rebate checks, budget on NJ residents' minds

? Many state residents are livid after a report by News 12 New Jersey last Friday detailed how some rebate checks in the state are going to people who are deceased. A state audit also found other problems

News 12 Staff

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Jun 26, 2008, 11:46 PM

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Updated 5,962 days ago

? Many state residents are livid after a report by News 12 New Jersey last Friday detailed how some rebate checks in the state are going to people who are deceased.

A state audit also found other problems with the rebate program, including some residents getting more in rebates than they paid in taxes.

?There are honest people who pay their taxes every month, every three months or whatever and they need to cut that malarkey out,? says Regina of Newark, who did not provide her last name.

Some New Jersey residents were also disturbed by the budget agreement between Gov. John Corzine and state lawmakers.

?All this budget does is shuffle the chairs on the deck of the Titanic,? Marcia Karrow says.

The state plans to cut spending by $600 million, but will borrow almost $4 billion for new schools.

To some in New Jersey, that makes little sense.

?As if people in this state aren?t already suffering form high gasoline costs, food costs and income taxes,? says one resident. ?Let?s add a little more misery into the mix.?

Some were also disappointed lawmakers didn?t do more about reducing pension benefits for part-time workers, but Florence of Plainfield sees it differently.

?I really do think the people need their pensions,? she says. ?They work hard for them and they deserve their pensions.?