What’s Wrong With New Jersey? 2008 Edition - Exhibit #1

Here’s a great example of what’s wrong with New Jersey,

The idea:

Politicians in New Jersey and every state should wake up to this opportunity to fill their state treasuries. A system should be devised whereby all gift cards and certificates issued by chain stores, individual stores, shops and restaurants in a state must be consecutively numbered and accounted for. A state should be able to claim a substantial portion (75 percent) of any gift card or certificate that is not used or only partially used.

The rationale:

That money is public money until the product or service for which it was purchased is claimed. It is not and should not be a windfall for the retailer that sold it.

The hook:

That would truly be a gift to the children or residents of New Jersey.