New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine on Thursday said he's willing to risk losing re-election by increasing highway tolls to try to resolve state fiscal woes.

The governor didn't detail how much he wants tolls to increase, but said he plans to present a formal plan in January as part of his State of the State address.

Speaking at a League of Municipalities convention, Corzine, as he has throughout the year, detailed fiscal woes he claims bar the state from investing in key needs.

"We will get one chance at a serious financial restructuring and it has to be done right," Corzine said. "But you can take this to the bank -- I will be bold in the name of progress."

The Democratic Corzine is up for re-election in 2009, but said, "Make no mistake.

Tax bureau will repay some out-of-county debt

LEBANON l The Lebanon County Earned Income Tax Bureau might be able to reduce its $4.26 million debt to out-of-county tax bureaus before the end of 2008, but its leaders can't yet say how much local taxing bodies can expect to receive in the near future.

America's credit card debt climbs to new record

While the fallout of the subprime loan industry collapse continues to play out, momentum is gaining on another potential economic calamity: Americans now owe a record $915 billion in credit card debt, according to a new report by Moody's Investors Service. Credit card companies wrote off 4.58 percent in payments between January and May, almost a third more than in the same period in 2006, Moody's said. As a result, lenders such as Citigroup, Bank of America, and American Express, already reeling from the subprime mortgage collapse, are being further weakened, according to a new report at MoneyNews.com. The third quarter numbers for banks were the worst since 2001, MoneyNews.com reported. The stock market slid again today on news about record crude oil prices exceeding $98 per barrel and General Motors Corp.'s quarterly loss of $39 billion.

Bush likens Democrats to 'a teenager with a new credit card'

NEW ALBANY, Ind. -- President Bush, using his veto pen and bully pulpit, contended Tuesday that congressional Democrats are spending money like “a teenager with a new credit card" and funding the spree with tax increases in every bill.Escalating an ongoing budget battle with Democratic-controlled Capitol Hill, the president warned that the spending poses a threat that an economy he called challenged but resilient might not weather.“Higher taxes would mean fewer opportunities for entrepreneurs, a tougher time for workers trying to get ahead, and a greater likelihood of a slowdown across our economy," Bush told a friendly business audience in a converted movie house in this Ohio River city. “They're coming at you with new taxes, and I'm going to do everything in my power to stop them."The president vetoed a $606 billion measure financing federal education, health and labor programs for the budget year that began Oct.

DeWitt Food Services adds credit card option

DEWITT � DeWitt Public Schools Food Service program announces a new credit card payment option. The payment option, which accepts VISA or MasterCard transactions, can be accessed by logging onto the district's Web site at www.dewitt.edzone.net, or going directly to the food service Web link at food.dewitt.edzone.net.

To access the program, parents should use their user identification and password previously assigned. Once logged into the system, payment can be made by clicking on the Account Deposit option and entering the desired amount to be charged to the selected credit card. Deposits can be made to any or all students in the family account. To obtain access information that has been misplaced, call (517) 668-3154 or e-mail the food service department at scheffle@dewitt.edzone.net.