NJBIZ - Daggett Argues For Independent Solutions

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Independent candidate for governor Chris Daggett vowed to boost tourism and New Jersey's national image, and work to improve the state's business climate in a conference call today.

Daggett said during a call hosted by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce that the two political parties have been unable or unwilling to address those problems facing the state.

"We do not have a good business climate in this state," Daggett said.

Daggett detailed his plan to restructure the state's tax system by expanding the sales tax to services and reducing property and income taxes. He said he hoped the plan would start a dialogue in the campaign.

"Despite my attempts to engage my opponents, I have not been able to get them to do anything except to say they don't like my plan," he said.

He said his property tax plan would replace rebates with tax cuts of 25 percent up to $2,500.

"My definition of a rebate is money that the Republicans and the Democrats should never have taken from you in the first place," he said.

He highlighted a portion of his budget plan that would triple the amount spent on promoting tourism, using $20 million raised through a tax on Shore rentals.

Daggett said his outsider status would help in working with a Legislature that has been focused on partisan politics. He said some legislators have told him privately that they would like to work with him.

When asked about his chances of winning, Daggett said: "I am the only one who has been rising in the polls."

Daggett said he would focus on reducing spending in five areas: aid to municipalities and schools, public employee pensions and health care and Medicaid.

Daggett also said he would serve as a cheerleader for the state.

"We have assets second to none in terms our diversity, the training of our work force, even the diversity of our natural resources," he said.

He also expressed skepticism toward municipal and school district mergers, saying that if he fought to contain the state's five major costs he could accomplish something, while if he fought to consolidate 25 towns "I'd be a bloody pulp" without certainty of cost cuts. He added that he would bet anyone that no school district would vote to merge.

On schools, Daggett said he would replace teacher tenure with five-year contracts.

"I have a great passion for education, but I have just as great a passion for accountability," he said. He also said he would invest in higher education, while tying the funding to job creation. He said areas like biotechnology and high technology should be targeted for support.

Peter King of Paragon Village of Hackettstown asked what Daggett would do to make cities self-sustaining. Daggett said he would continue to restore brownfields, concentrate on improving schools and implement the state plan to encourage growth near cities.

"We're one state and we've go to figure out how to be one state," without pitting cities against suburbs, he said.

Marty Teller of the Trenton Thunder asked how Daggett would respond to the other campaigns without their funds.

Daggett noted that he has been criticized by Republican Chris Christie lately, adding, "I must be rising pretty rapidly in the polls." Daggett said he would benefit from an "angry electorate," as well an edge in unaffiliated voters and the poor economy.

Chamber Chairman Dennis Bone asked Daggett what he would do to improve the construction permitting process. The candidate said he would take an active role, like Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell, in encouraging development and would look to reform regulations. He said the bureaucracy has led to corruption.

Daggett was the second of the three candidates to answer questions from chamber members. Democratic incumbent Jon S. Corzine spoke on Oct. 15 and Christie is expected to speak next week, but no time has been set.

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