Tom Kean Asks Codey and Democrats to Pledge No New Appropriations

October 8, 2008

Contact: Andy Pratt / (609) 292-5199
Senator Tom Kean (R-21)

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean has sent a letter to Senate President Richard Codey asking that Democrats join in pledging not to boost state appropriations over the next nine months.

“The 17 Republican senators of New Jersey have all pledged not to support any legislation that authorizes new appropriations. My letter to Senate President Codey asks Democrats to do the same.

“Hard times seem unavoidable because of the faltering economy. Now is not the time to make New Jersey more unaffordable by taking more resources from taxpayers. They need the money they earn to pay mortgages and rising prices for food and fuel.”

A copy of the letter is below:

Honorable Richard J. Codey
Senate President

Dear Mr. President:

The October 6, 2008, New York Times outlines in dramatic detail how New Jersey’s economy is suffering. This information adds to the overwhelming evidence of our economic downturn. I know you are as concerned as I am about the impact of the downturn on New Jersey’s revenue collections, the current budget and the FY 2010 budget.

To mitigate the fiscal fallout, I suggest a prudent initial step: first, let’s do no harm.

Reflecting the policy we initiated last winter, the Senate Republican caucus will not support any legislation that appropriates state money. We ask that our Democrat colleagues immediately join with us in refraining from new spending for the remainder of this fiscal year. In addition, I ask that you post no bills that appropriate state money for a vote in the Senate for the rest of the fiscal year.

Sincerely,
Thomas H. Kean, Jr.
Senate Minority Leader

Link to Post:

http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/tomkean/tom-kean-asks-codey-and-democrats-to-pledge-no-new-appropriations/1292