Up until very recently, Come See For Yourself was the official New Jersey state slogan. As it turns out, West Virginia had recycled that very same motto a few years back. Just a few weeks ago, that was discovered and the slogan was nixed by our Garden State authorities.

These words still remain very applicable, especially when referring to State of New Jersey dealings. Usage of that phrase occurred while I was discussing the current New Jersey E-Z Pass advertising campaign. Motorists with E-Z Pass received their payment statements along with a couple of fliers advertising GEICO and Citibank. Around 500,000 E-Z Pass users are scheduled to receive the same.

Remember, the Turnpike Authority oversees our E-Z Pass program. Our tax dollars built the Turnpike, and our monies still continue to fund it. So, basically we have a taxpayer funded program advertising private industry. Some of my friends in other states find all this very hard to believe. So to them I say: Dont believe that? Well, just Come See For Yourself.

Assembly Chairman Speaks

It creates a stamp of approval by the state authority that we support these people to the exclusion of everybody else, advised Assemblyman Neil Cohen. Cohen runs insurance matters in the New Jersey Assembly and is correct. All this gives the appearance that the Turnpike, E-Z Pass, and the State Of New Jersey endorse GEICO and Citibank.

Its a source of revenue and every source of revenue we can find that doesnt burden toll-payers is not a bad thing, said Joseph Orlando, Turnpike Authority spokesman to the Star Ledger. However, there are a lot of things the Turnpike can do to earn money. That still doesnt mean it is the right thing to do.

All this is a clear choice between ethics and money. Obviously, New Jersey officials chose money. And its not even big money! Published articles report the Turnpike Authority has earned only $20,000 on this new pilot advertising program. So, not only have they sold out, but they have done it cheaply.

Professional Insurance Agents of N.J.

Here in our Garden State, the PIANJ is fronting the battleground against all this. PIANJ president John Latimer stated, The implied endorsement of state government should not be for sale to the highest bidder. Good for Latimer, and I also agree with PIA lobbyist Leon Zimmerman who comments: [This] wrongly appropriates the power and authority of state government.