Robert Schroeder Responds To The Record

Robert Schroeder: Why I should be governor as reported in the Northern New Jersey Newspaper – The Record

1) Why are you the best candidate?

I run in a primary filled with professional politicians. It's a challenge to take on the career pols, but it has allowed me to distinguish myself from the pack. As a father, husband, fireman, local official and businessman, as governor I intend to bring the real-world perspective of regular New Jersey citizens to Trenton. I plan to utilize my battle-tested business sense to offer practical solutions to the problems facing our citizens.

2) What do you think is the state's most pressing problem and what would you do to address it?

My plan, Saving New Jersey Seniors, dedicates a large portion of that new revenue, created in a strong economy without raising taxes, to eliminating school property taxes on the first $200,000 of assessed home value for those 65 and older. The plan is phased in over five years, with approximately a 20 percent reduction each year. When the program is fully implemented, the average senior homeowner will realize a school tax savings of about $3,500.

3) What would your first executive order be?

After taking the oath of office as governor next January, I will immediately send my Saving New Jersey Seniors program to the Legislature. That will be my first action as governor.

4) What would you do to combat high property taxes?

Details of my plan, Saving New Jersey Seniors, can be found at www.SavingNJSeniors.com. I encourage everyone to visit the site and learn more about my revolutionary and realistic plan to cut property taxes.

5) How would you balance the budget? Which, if any, taxes would you raise? Which, if any, spending would you cut?

As governor I will not propose, nor will I support, any measure that will raise taxes on the hard-working people of New Jersey, ever. The fiscal health of our state government in Trenton is desperately in need of solid business management principles. As governor, I will work to generate increased revenue - not the old-fashioned Trenton way by raising taxes - but by luring new businesses to New Jersey and helping existing businesses to add jobs.

6) How would you replenish the Transportation Trust Fund?

First, let me state that I will not raise the gas tax. Second, the return on federal tax dollars that New Jersey residents send to Washington is a disgrace. Given our location between Boston and New York and Philadelphia and Washington, our roads are heavily traveled by out-of-state motorists. As governor, I will do everything in my power to bring more federal money back to the Garden State.

7) What would you do to improve state government's image in terms of ethics and campaign financing?

Our founding fathers could never have envisioned the cycle of political abuse and greed that has allowed special interests to hijack state government and hand taxpayers the bill. Most important, I plan to take a hard line against the political corruption and abuse that has run rampant in the current administration by prohibiting political contributors from obtaining no-bid government contracts.

8) What would you do to end the bitter partisan fighting in New Jersey and the nation?

As governor, my door always will be open to people, no matter their political stripe, interested in doing what's best for New Jersey. No party has a monopoly on good ideas. I will work to cross party lines and build a consensus on popular and practical reforms. Frankly, the power of our ideas will encourage Democrats as well as Republicans to fight for my legislative program, such as the Saving NJ Seniors plan.