From The Wall Street Journal:

After a decade of Democratic governance, the state is a fiscal train wreck. New Jersey sports the nation’s highest state and local tax burden, and residents pay more property taxes per capita than anywhere else in the country. Nevertheless, lawmakers have repeatedly borrowed billions to fill budget gaps and increase spending. The state’s debt has quadrupled, to $35 billion from $8.1 billion, over the past 15 years. Since 2003, New Jersey’s budget has grown by 26% and annual payments on outstanding loans have nearly doubled.

Asked to name the most important issue in the race, 54% of likely voters cite property taxes, the most popular response by far. Team Christie’s decision to put strategy above substance not only ignores this voter sentiment but also has given an opening to independent candidate Chris Daggett, whose economic reform proposals have been as specific as Mr. Christie’s have been vague.

“You deserve as voters more than a failed plan from Democrats and no plan from Republicans,” said Mr. Daggett at the debate. “My tax plan is a specific 25% across-the-board cut in property taxes. A 25% cut in corporate income taxes for both small businesses, which are the heart of this economy, as well as large corporations. And a roll back of the so-called temporary income-tax increase [approved by Mr. Corzine last year]. And we’re going to pay for it by expanding but not increasing the sales tax to a number of services not now covered.”