Governor Corzine’s Budget Takes Away Training Fund from EMTs Who Volunteer to Keep Us Safe
Governor Corzine should reconsider his $4 million theft from emergency medical technicians, which will dampen volunteerism and could force municipalities to use paid ambulance squads, Assembly members Dawn Marie Addiego and Scott Rudder, both R-Burlington, said today.
Senator Phil Haines said this after hearing Agriculture Commissioner Douglas Fisher testify before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee that no money is available for purchasing farmland for preservation:
“These are tough times,” Senator Haines said. “I understand that this year, the budget needs to be as lean as we can make it.
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Does Job Efficiently
The six Republican members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee commended the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs today for spending agency money in a responsible and cost-efficient manner while providing services to our honored veterans.
Republican members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee expressed concern today that hospitals are being awarded funding based on political motives rather than need:
Senator Phil Haines, a Republican member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, made the following comments after DEP Commissioner Mark N. Mauriello testified at a budget hearing today that vacant land analyses used to estimate how much affordable housing can be built were done without the input of the Department of Environmental Protection.
Mauriello said that estimates of open land “didn’t really reflect what’s on the ground” because they did not take into account land-use restrictions designed to protect environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands and flood plains.
The six Republican members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee said today’s testimony shows Governor Corzine has created a breathtakingly irresponsible budget that will inevitably result in crippling tax increases on New Jersey’s middle class if he wins re-election. Testimony on revenue collections show the budget proposed by the governor just a few weeks ago is already out of balance by at least $100 million. The senators urged the governor to fulfill his constitutional obligation to submit an honestly balanced budget.
Superintendent Richens Stepped in to Stop Pemberton Borough from Cutting Property Taxes by Almost $300 Per Homeowner
Senator Phil Haines, Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego and Assemblyman Scott Rudder today called on Governor Corzine to fire Burlington County Superintendent of Schools Lester Richens for his decision to forbid the Borough of Pemberton from cutting school taxes.
“This was a slap in the face to every property taxpayer in Pemberton Borough, and a warning to property taxpayers in Burlington County. Under the Corzine administration, cutting taxes is illegal,” said Assemblyman Rudder. “Trenton and Richens are playing the role of school yard bullies.”
The 8th District Lawmakers Have Introduced Legislation to Protect the Interest of Taxpayers and Slow the Process
Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego and Assemblyman Scott Rudder are taking steps to force the State of New Jersey to reconsider plans to close Riverfront State Prison in Camden.
“Closing this safe, secure and relatively new facility does not make sense,” said Assemblywoman Addiego. “The Governor is in a rush to do this. We need to put on the breaks and make sure this is the right thing to do for the taxpayers of New Jersey.”
Assisting Struggling Constituents Is a Priority, Even If It Means Working Without Pay
Senator Phil Haines, Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego and Assemblyman Scott Rudder today announced that their 8th District office staff will work without pay on two furlough days ordered by Governor Corzine.
“We have spoken with our staff, and they have volunteered to come in to work,” said Assemblywoman Addiego. “They are willing to give up their own time to come in and lend a hand to people who need help.”
Assemblywoman Addiego and Assemblyman Rudder Will Host the Meeting Discussing the State’s Budget Crisis and the Impact of COAH on Local Property Taxes
Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego and Assemblyman Scott Rudder will host a Town Hall Meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, at the Mount Laurel Library at 100 Walt Whitman Avenue.
“Residents have lots of questions and concerns about Governor Corzine’s proposed budget, and with good reason,” said Assemblyman Rudder. “There’s plenty to be worried about, and we’re going to give taxpayers a chance to express their fears and get some answers.”
