In the Press: GOP presents a budget reply to the governor

May 30, 2008

Contact: Brad Schnure / 609-292-5199
A More Affordable NJ

Published in the Star-Ledger on May 30, 2008

By JOE DONOHUE

Republican lawmakers yesterday called for shifting more than $1 billion in Gov. Jon Corzine’s proposed state budget to restore rebates and pay for big road jobs without toll and gas tax increases.

At a Statehouse news conference, Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Union) called the GOP plan to cut some programs and add to others a “common sense plan that will make New Jersey more affordable.” Sen. Steven Oroho (R-Sussex), a Senate budget committee member, added: “There’s no need to raise taxes. There’s no need to raise tolls.”

The Republican plan was announced as Democratic legislative leaders met with Corzine to discuss his proposed $33 billion budget. Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden) and Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) said they were optimistic a deal can be reached soon.

“This is a very, very tough budget but I think we’ve achieved consensus on almost all the big issues,” Roberts said.

The GOP plan would be financed largely by cutting aid to urban school districts and municipalities, as well as targeting state patronage and management jobs, legislative grants and public worker fringe benefits and salaries.

Roberts and Codey said they would consider the Republican suggestions, but it drew an angry response from Corzine.

“Republicans are following in the footsteps of their predecessors by talking about spending money and restoring cuts without offering any legitimate way to pay for them. This is all make-believe math,” Corzine said a statement issued by the treasury department. “This is the same sort of gimmickry and trickery that has put the state in the fiscal mess we now find ourselves trying deal with.”

The GOP plan was issued on behalf of all 49 Republicans in the 120-member Legislature. It would use budget savings to restore $525 million for property tax relief in the next budget, including more for rebates and state aid to municipalities, while permanently dedicating $500 million in annual motor vehicle fees to the state’s Transportation Trust Fund.

“A state budget should not be the priorities of Trenton politicians, but those of the taxpayers who are demanding a more affordable New Jersey and a government that is more accountable,” said Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Morris).

Kean and DeCroce praised Corzine for seeking to reduce state spending more than $500 million from a year ago. They said all Republicans will oppose the new state budget if the Democratic majority increases it beyond the $33 billion proposed by the governor.

The largest cuts to finance the GOP plan include $157 million from “special municipal aid” and $105 million allotted for the 31 poorest school districts.

They would save another $100 million by eliminating “anticipated pork” for legislative districts, $90 million through more efficient purchasing practices, $85 million by mandating new pension and health insurance givebacks, $69 million in less state subsidies for urban enterprise zones and $68 million by axing patronage and management jobs. The long list includes another $900 million in cuts.

Corzine’s proposed budget, which must be adopted by July 1, does not recommend any tax increases. But he has not ruled out toll or gas tax increases to pay for future transportation spending.

That prospect prompted a rally yesterday outside the Statehouse organized by former Bogota Mayor Steven Lonegan, a potential candidate for governor next year.

“In 1966, New Jersey had the lowest taxes in the nation. Forty years later, we now have the highest taxes,” Lonegan told a crowd of more than 100 people. A van-sized pink pig emblazoned with “Stop Higher Taxes” was parked outside the Statehouse.