Friday, September 28, 2007

No problem collecting taxes

rob tornoe, political cartoons, press of atlantic city, PolitcsNJ,


Basically, New Jersey's roads and infrastructure and crumbing, and the state government is trying to figure out how to fund the repairs needed. But along side this fact, New Jerseyans remain the highest taxed citizens in the country, and our toll roads are highest in the amount of revenue they receive from commuters:

The Report Card
The Express-Times

Engineers: NJ Infrastructure Crumbling
Houston Chronicle

Thursday, September 27, 2007

NJ Democratic Party Conference Sketches




Last month, I had the good fortune to cover the Democratic Party's 2007 Conference in Atlantic City for The Press. It's the first time I've ever tired to cover an event like this by sketching, but I learned some valuable lessons that I'll take with me next time.

It was just a shame that the only national candidate to show up was Hillary (strong-armed by her buddy Corzine). Maybe this proves that it was a waste of time and money to push up New Jersey's primary date, a fact I bemoaned in a cartoon I did that weekend:


rob tornoe, political cartoons, press of atlantic city, PoliticsNJ, Atlantic City, Hillay Clinton, New Jersey Democrats


The best part of the luncheon had to be when Hillary threw out a line that she considers herself an honorary New Jerseyan, but that she doesn't want New Jersey to, "...charge any more property taxes than what I pay across the river in New York." Yeah, uncomfortable reaction by state Dems at best.

Anyway, on to the sketches:



Hillary may have been the only candidate to attend
the conference, but supporters of both Obama
and Edwards were on hand to simply support
their candidates, or in the case of
U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman, taking a swipe
at Hillary to do so.


No matter how much they preach 'Party of the people,' normal
folks still seem to stand outside of the political process.


Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts wearingly fields reporters'
questions about Mims Hackett Alfred Steele, 2 assemblymen
netted in the latest round of arrests
by U.S. Attorney Chris Christie.


United we bargain, divided we beg...unless your represented
by the Governor's former girlfriend.


Lobbyists and their electronic devices swarm
outside the conference.


The "honorary New Jerseyan" tries her best to play off
a property-tax jab she unintentionally aimed at the democratic
leadership in attendance.


Just a random face awash in a sea of politicos.


More interesting faces.



Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Corzine: Hold Me Accountable


rob tornoe, tornoe, political cartoon, PoliticsNJ, Jon Corzine


This week, it's "Hold me accountable" week over at PoliticsNJ, refering to a repeated statement by our beloved governor during his inargural address in 2006.

Here's a cartoon I did a couple of weeks ago that goes along with all of this:



And here are some articles on PoliticsNJ under the "Hold me accountable" banner:

Corzine the Tentative Reformer
David Rebovich

Despite criticism, Corzine manages to float along
Matt Friedman

Lance hammers Corzine-Riccio connection
Max Pizarro

Corzine v. Codey
Max Pizarro

Welcome to "Hold Me Accountable" Week on PoliticsNJ.com
Wally Edge