Important Star-Ledger Editorial Supports New Recurring Revenue for NJ Budget

For Immediate Release: May 12, 2008

Important Star-Ledger Editorial Supports New Recurring Revenue for NJ Budget
Statewide Budget Coalition Sees Momentum for Revenue Solutions

NEWARK -- New Jersey's largest newspaper pushed the state budget debate forward today with a clear call for solutions that include increasing recurring state revenues.  The Better Choices Budget Campaign, a statewide coalition of nearly 30 groups, noted the growing support for revenue-based budget solutions instead of severe budget cuts -- and urged legislators to look at specific revenue proposals.

In today's editorial, the Star-Ledger said: "[L]egislators must come up with new revenue, and it must come from a recurring source."  [http://www.nj.com/opinion/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-2/12105669438160.xml&coll=1]

Eva Bonime, coordinator of the Better Choices Budget Campaign, said, "There are fair, realistic and environmentally sound ways to meet New Jersey's needs."  Bonime pointed to specific ideas raised by the Better Choices Budget Campaign, including:

  • Increasing state income taxes the top 10% of households raises up to $500 million

  • Closing corporate tax loopholes and reevaluating business subsidy programs raises up to $300 million.

  • Adjusting taxes on lottery winnings and alcoholic beverages raises up to $80 million.

"The devastating cuts in the proposed state budget take New Jersey in the wrong direction, cutting vital services and jeopardizing our future," said Bonime.  "The tide is turning toward sanity in the state's budget conversation.  We urge New Jersey's elected officials to look at these kinds of solutions and make better choices for New Jersey."
 
To focus the attention of influential state legislators, like Senate Budget Committee Chair Barbara Buono, on the need for new revenues, the Better Choices Budget Campaign launched a large-scale door-to-door canvass operation in key legislative districts last week.

For more information on the Better Choices Budget Campaign, see www.BetterChoicesForNJ.org.