Release: Groups Call For Better Choices in State Budget; New coalition says invest in the future instead of cutting services

For release: Thursday, April 24, 2008

HACKENSACK -- A broad coalition of organizations today brought the push for avoiding shortsighted budget cuts to North Jersey as part of a statewide effort to get New Jersey back to investing in its future.

The Better Choices Budget Campaign, which includes environmental, housing, labor, health, education and community organizations, called on legislators and Governor Corzine to consider revenue alternatives before passing a budget that cuts deeply into health care, higher education, parks, social services, tenant protection and many other areas crucial to New Jerseyans’ quality of life and ability to advance economically.

At a press conference held in front of the Central Municipal Court of Bergen County, at 10 Main St., speakers outlined a number of proposed state budget cuts that would reduce the quality of life in Bergen and Passaic Counties.

“Better Choices means looking at sensible revenue options to fund the services and investments our state depends on. There are fair, realistic and environmentally sound ways to meet New Jersey’s needs,” said Reverend David Thornton, pastor of the United Presbyterian Church in Paterson.

“We’re already struggling in our health care system to provide services and maintain safety standards for patients and workers,” said Jeanne Otersen, Policy Director for the Health Professionals and Allied Employees. “Cutting $6 million from our Bergen and Passaic County hospitals and further cutting the Department of Health will inevitably lead to compromised patient care.”

“Renters in North Jersey and around the state cannot afford higher property taxes, and cutting our homestead rebates is not a fair or sensible way to balance the budget,” said Matt Shapiro, President of the New Jersey Tenants Organization. “New Jersey can do much better.”

The Better Choices Budget Campaign is delivering its message through an AARP hotline that delivers phone calls to legislators, a website to be launched in early May, a door-to-door canvass program, community events in targeted legislative districts, in-district lobby visits, leafleting at public places, letter-writing, phone calls and email drives. In developing a package of revenue-raising proposals that invest in New Jersey’s future, the Campaign is looking at such options as increasing the state income taxes on the top 10% of households; more closely tying driving-related fees to fuel efficiency and vehicle value;  closing corporate tax loopholes and reevaluating business subsidy programs; and adjusting taxes on gambling and alcoholic beverages.

"We know there are better choices for New Jersey, and we are going to make sure the politicians who represent us in Trenton know it too,” said Eva Bonime, Executive Director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance and coordinator of the Better Choices Budget Campaign.

The Better Choices Campaign represents 24 organizations across New Jersey that so far have endorsed the campaign’s call for investing in New Jersey’s future.

Many homeowners will face higher property taxes because of proposed cuts to municipal aid in Gov. Corzine’s Budget, and tenants will see reductions in the state rebates they get to offset rising property taxes that landlords pass on in the form of rent increases.

Cuts in higher education that will mean higher tuitions at state colleges and universities include $2.2 million at Ramapo College and $4.1 million at William Paterson University; Bergen and Passaic County Community Colleges also would face significant cuts.

In the area of healthcare services vital to many area residents, Paterson-Passaic-Bergen County Eligible Metropolitan Area (HIV & housing services) would lose all state funding; Hackensack University Medical Center faces a 34% cut; Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck and Valley Hospital in Ridgewood would lose all state funding to care for poor, uninsured patients, amounting to over $6 million; St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson faces a 5% cut in state aid.

Valuable community services affected by proposed cuts include the Aspergers Syndrome VEST Program of Jewish Family Services Inc., Teaneck; Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Boys and Girls Club will lose $1.4 million. Bergen Performing Arts Center and Ringwood State Park would be severely affected by proposed cuts.