The first excuse had to do with alcohol. Then it was stress about employment. Next came the feelings of guilt, followed by anxiety about whether it would happen again and soon enough New Jersey’s economy had serious performance problems.
Now, the state finally has acknowledged it needs some sort of stimulus to get back on track.
“For a long time, we thought we could deal with this ourselves,” state Treasurer David Rousseau said. “Even though other states were going through similar issues, it’s embarrassing to admit you need help, you know, in that area.”
In a remarkably candid interview, Rousseau acknowledged New Jersey has for years been flaccid when it came to jobs, affordable housing and economic development. The state was able to mask its problems by spending lots of money and claiming it had had too much to drink.
“At first we were sure it was something we ate or maybe we just weren’t into it, but when we looked at the facts in the cold, hard light, it was pretty clear what was going on,” he continued, dabbing his eyes with a tissue. “And unfortunately, this type of thing feeds off of itself, because after it happens once, you start wondering, will it happen again tomorrow night, too? Or with Betty, who tries to understand but has certain needs that need to be met?”
Several years ago during the McGreevey administration, the Garden State even began questioning its orientation, Rousseau said. Recently, however, New Jersey has concluded “it needs stimulus, lots of stimulus.”
“We’re lucky because not only is the federal government willing to help out on that front, but we also happen to have the nation’s medicine chest within our borders,” the treasurer said. “Let me tell you, we’re not worried about things lasting for more than four hours. We want this to go on for four years.”
The furloughs are flying, unemployment in the state is increasing and services are decreasing.