Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21) issued the following statement today after Governor Corzine signed New Jersey’s FY ‘09 budget:
“There is a clear delineation between the budget passed by Democrats and signed into law by Governor Corzine, and the budget proposal put forth by myself and my Republican colleagues. Our plan was designed to make New Jersey more affordable for middle class taxpayers. The governor’s plan does exactly the opposite.
“The governor says that spending is lower than last year. Today’s news reports show that more than $900 million in spending has been moved off the budget. New Jersey taxpayers should know they will pay more for government this year, whether that money is on the budget or off.
“The Governor says there are no ‘Christmas trees, ‘ or legislator-inspired spending items designed to win votes, in this budget. Technically, that’s true, but the $3.9 billion school construction legislation that was approved along with this spending plan contains at least $1 billion in projects designed, in the words of the Assembly sponsor, ‘to get the votes.’”
“This budget will make New Jersey more unaffordable for middle-class families by cutting property tax relief by $635 million, extending a $62 million home utility tax and borrowing $4 billion without voter approval. The payments on that debt will add hundreds of millions of dollars to New Jersey tax bills for decades to come.
“This spending plan will inevitably lead to calls for higher taxes or tolls because it fails to address the state’s transportation needs. Governor Corzine and Democrat legislators have said they will again try to raise the gas tax or tolls this year to pay for transportation. Republicans came up with a sound alternative for paying for transportation needs without increases in taxes or tolls. We urge the governor to consider it.
“We urge the governor to take another look at every part of our Common-Sense Plan for an Affordable New Jersey. It was put forth by all the Republican members of the Legislature, and it included more than $1.3 billion in savings; restored property tax relief; provided funding for transportation projects; invested in accessible healthcare, and rededicated funding for higher education scholarships, the arts and key economic development programs. More of our plan’s ideas should and could have been adopted.
“In the future, we should work together to come up with a truly bipartisan spending plan that better reflects the priorities of New Jersey’s middle-class families. Legislators in the Republican Party welcome the opportunity to work with Governor Corzine and Democratic lawmakers more closely next year. Together, we can come up with a better-run and more efficient government that does a better job of serving all state residents.”
Link to Post:
http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/tomkean/tom-kean-statement-on-budget-signing/586
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