Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, today expressed disappointment that Governor Jon Corzine’s first reaction to the comprehensive Republican budget proposal unveiled Thursday was to sharply criticize the plan and dismiss the ideas it incorporates.
“Some of the best, most experienced financial people who have ever worked for the state of New Jersey helped prepare and exhaustively review our spending plan,” said Kean, R-Union, Morris, Somerset and Essex. “It is simply inaccurate for the governor to say that our financial calculations are gimmicks. I’m disappointed that the governor apparently has closed his door to ideas that would make New Jersey more affordable for its residents.”
The Republican plan identifies $1.32 billion in savings from the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2009 spending proposal. The savings would used to reduce spending by an additional $100 million beyond the Governor’s proposed budget, restore $525 million in property tax relief, provide $500 million of funding toward transportation projects with out new taxes or tolls, and leave another $195 million to restore budget cuts affecting such programs as senior aid, health care and higher education.
Kean and DeCroce noted that the plan was crafted with the help of legislative budget experts with decades of experience in state budgeting matters. The governor’s criticism sounded unnecessarily confrontational and overtly political.
“This was a thoughtful, comprehensive plan that incorporates a common sense approach to restoring affordability for New Jersey residents,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “I was saddened by the Governor’s response, but I hope that he will take a second look at the plan and reconsider his criticism before we meet with him at 9:30 Monday morning to discuss our proposal in detail.”
Kean and DeCroce remind the governor of what he said in his statement upon signing the Fiscal 2008 budget on June 28, 2007:
“In our system of government, no one should expect or accept that the Legislature simply serves as a rubber stamp for the Executive, approving whatever budget the governor presents. There will always be differences of opinion about what should and should not be funded, and at what level.”
For more details on the Republicans’ common-sense plan for a more affordable New Jersey, including the list of proposed budget savings, please go to www.njassemblyrepublicans.com or www.senatenj.com.
Link to Post:
Similar Posts:
- Kean & DeCroce Meet With Corzine to Discuss Republican Budget Proposal
June 2, 2008 - Tom Kean Urges Governor to Detail How He Would Pay for New Spending Bills
November 12, 2008 - In the Press: Don’t dismiss GOP proposal
June 2, 2008 - In the Press: GOP presents a budget reply to the governor
May 30, 2008 - Kean and DeCroce: Corzine Needs to Say If He Will Hike Tolls for Tunnel Cost Overruns
November 12, 2008
