1990 Tax Increase May Not Sink N.J.'s Florio After All

By Karen Diegmueller

JERSEY CITY, N.J.--Pulling up outside a reception given by local teachers' unions, the limousine lets out a man who just two or three years ago was the most reviled political figure in New Jersey--and who today appears headed for another four years in power.

Back in 1990, radio talk shows were abuzz with callers blasting Gov. James J. Florio, whose approval rating was to plunge to an abysmal 17 percent.

The next year, the Governor's political fortunes continued to falter, as voters conducted a massive purge of his fellow Democrats and gave Republicans veto-proof majorities in both...