The Governor Backs Down on PAAD

The word is out that the Governor is backing down on PAAD and Senior Gold.

Governor Christie is going to speak at the AARP meeting at the Marriott today. I was scheduled to go but just did not feel up to it. There was going to be a presentation of the Governor's excuses that led to the very hurtful and controversial increases in prescription coverage for seniors, namely the PAAD and Senior Gold programs, and the battle plan was well laid out by AARP and its members to counter this.

Here is some background on this matter:

May 5 of this year, I emailed the AARP legislative laison here in Trenton and tipped him off to April's extra monies coming into the Casino Revenue Fund which were supposed to be dedicated to senior programs. Given the climate in the Governor's Office, I was concerned that they would be diverted to other areas in violation of New Jersey's Constitution.

Senator Shirley Turner's office told me that senior programs in NJ were not entirely covered by the Casino Revenue Fund and extra monies were coming out of New Jersey's General Fund. If that was the case, and they did not send me the info to back that up, then it is not a stretch to imagine the Governor glomming onto our Casino monies.

With this in mind, today's news is very welcome. In fact, according to the Trentonian, he has incredibly found enough monies that the deductibles may now be only five dollars.

Hoot. Snicker. You think?

There is no mention at this time that the transportation part of the Casino Fund directive has been addressed. The Casino Revenue Fund is dedicated to the senior and disabled transportation needs, prescription drug programs, property tax rebates and tax freeze issues. We have yet to hear how that is going to be handled.

During the Mayoral Meet and Greets here at Pellettieri, I presented each candidate with written concerns about senior transportation dilemmas. I guess I should tackle the Governor's Office next.

Now if Governor Christie can just hook up to those 16000 millionaires and get them to agree that "it's only going to be 10 percent and you've got all that money and these old folks will vote nice" just maybe the millionaires tax will mean that property taxes will not make seniors lose their homes.

If the aging population in New Jersey is permitted this life line, the economic impact will be felt across the board. Taxing millionaires is perfectly respectable, neat and tidy, and will employ many accountants. Every senior homeowner, who can retain his dignity and lifestyle, will continue to support local businesses. Every displaced person, funneled off to assisted living or a nursing home, is a loss to the community.

I wonder what the Marriott is serving my AARP buddies for lunch. Shucks. Wish I could have been there. Especially to expound on "Could Derivatives Lead to Murder"....lol.

Have a great day.