It is troubling that before we have had any real discussion of possible spending cuts the governor appears to have made a decision to increase taxes. It is equally troubling that this tax hike proposal is being floated while the administration is still considering big ticket spending programs like stem-cell research.

This budget is a fraud on the people of New Jersey. He promised he would reduce spending. Instead, he increased property taxes.

Taxpayers who are already stretched to their limit by our highest-in-the-nation property taxes may be forced to pick up and leave the state. Businesses that have already rated this as one of the worst business climates in the nation will move operations elsewhere or forgo plans to expand.