COURT HOUSE –– Gov. Jon Corzine will be making an appearance here Jan. 19 to discuss his “financial restructuring” plan for the state that is expected to include raising tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.

Cape May County has been scheduled for Corzine’s fourth stop on a 21-county town meeting tour in which he will afford “residents the opportunity to voice their views regarding his plan,” according to spokesman Jim Gardner.

Corzine will be at Middle Township High School that day from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. after visiting sites in Essex, Bergen and Morris counties in the prior week.

The governor’s office is asking anyone who wants to attend the town hall meeting to RSVP beforehand by filling out a form at www.state.nj.us/townhallmeetings/ or calling (609) 777-2531.

What is the governor’s plan?

On Jan. 8 in his “State of the State” address, Corzine is expected to detail his plan, which has thus far only been generally outlined in a statement of core principles released on June 28.

“I have a vision for a brighter New Jersey, but today we cannot afford the investments to make that vision a reality,” Corzine stated. “I fundamentally believe we need new resources and renewed political courage to make those investments.”

He explained then that over the past 20 years, the state has amassed “$30 billion in debt and staggering unfunded pension and healthcare liabilities.”

He said that any asset monetization plan would adhere to the following eight principals:

• State roadways will not be sold or leased to a for-profit or foreign operator.
• Allowable uses of plan proceeds will be identified upfront and subject to approvals with safeguards against diversions for other uses.
• Citizens will retain ownership and the benefits from both initial proceeds and ongoing operations.
• Safety, maintenance and operating standards will be provided at current or improved levels.
• Adequate funding for to maintain roadways and reduce congestion will be provided.
• Current employees and contractors will retain rights including wage and contracting proceedures.
• Toll schedules will be open, predictable and available to the public.
• Open and public discussion will be held in advance of any transaction.

Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com