BCNJ Issues Statement on Governor Christie's Declaration of Fiscal Emergency

For Release: February 17, 2010
 

NEWARK, NJ – As the Assembly Budget Committee held a public hearing over the declaration of fiscal emergency by Governor Christie, Better Choices for New Jersey spokesperson Margarita Hernandez issued the following statement:

“Governor Christie has shown that he’s more interested in cutting taxes for the wealthy than in preserving vital services and preventing higher tuition rates, transit fares, and property taxes when working families can least afford them.”

“Last year, New Jersey took a balanced approach to weathering our economic crisis by modestly increasing income tax rates on those making over $400,000, which prevented devastating cuts and maintained property tax relief. By refusing to extend the rate increase for the remainder of fiscal year on those who can most afford to pay, the Governor is leaving $500 million on the table and underfunding programs that provide working families with relief in hard times.”

“Lower income and middle-class New Jerseyans struggling through this recession can’t afford higher property taxes from Governor Christie’s $473 million cut to school aid, higher fares from his $32 million cut to New Jersey Transit, or higher tuition rates from his $62 million cut to state colleges and universities.”

“New Jersey’s fiscal crisis is too severe to be addressed by spending cuts alone. If the Governor really believes we are in a state of economic emergency, he should take a balanced approach that asks everyone to pitch in so that we can invest in education, infrastructure, health care, and our environment. Our campaign will continue to fight for common sense solutions to our state’s fiscal woes that will help maintain funding for vital services and give lower- and middle- income New Jerseyans some relief.”

Over the last two years, Better Choices for New Jersey has led the charge for a plan to increase revenue and protect services. The Better Choices campaign has previously called for:

* Adjusting state income tax rates to better reflect ability to pay;

*Maintaining and increasing the surcharge on the corporate business tax;

* Protecting our environment while generating revenue by increasing registration fees on polluting, gas-guzzling SUVs over 5,000 pounds by approximately $150.

Better Choices for New Jersey represents over 45 organizations including the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, New Jersey Policy Perspective, New Jersey Tenants Organization, New Jersey Environmental Federation, and the Hispanic Directors Association. The campaign calls for increased investment in critical public services and long-term solutions to New Jersey’s fiscal troubles. Some of its revenue proposals were adopted in the budget for FY 2010.