Is New Jerseyans’ pessimism good news for Chris Christie?
Property taxes continue to rise. It’s once again become more expensive to drive across the Hudson River. And New Jersey’s future budget obligations are still ominous and likely to be unmet.
Have Garden State residents given up on change?
A Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press poll gives us hints of the low expectations we have for our future. And those low expectations may become yet another advantage for Gov. Chris Christie.
Whether their top issue was property taxes, jobs or the economy, 70 percent of those surveyed said they expected little to no progress from Christie on making things better. Those numbers were remarkably consistent over a variety of breakdowns — political party identification, gender and those living in the area hardest hit by superstorm Sandy.
Out of all those surveyed, Republicans — those most enamored with the recently re-elected governor — are the most optimistic, with 36 percent believing Christie will make a lot of progress on the state’s most pressing issues.
The poll provides a telling glimpse into the governor’s cult of personality. While he enjoys high approval ratings (65 percent in this latest survey), fewer than a quarter of those polled say they have a good idea of what Christie will do in a second term.
It also gives a good look at the pessimism of New Jerseyans, few of whom actually believe that anything to make their lives a little easier is coming down the pike. And is it any wonder?
As of Dec. 1, those with E-ZPass now pay $9 for a Hudson River crossing during off-peak hours. They will pay $11 for crossing during peak hours. Do you want to pay cash? That price didn’t change. It’s still $13. The price hike comes less than two years after a toll increase of more than 50 percent on the New Jersey Turnpike and a 50 percent increase on the Garden State Parkway. (Schoonejongen/Asbury Park Press)
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