(HAMILTON) – Assemblyman Dan Benson (D-Mercer/Middlesex) – who sponsored the budget resolution restoring money the governor sought to cut from the Senior Freeze property tax relief program – released the following statement Thursday on the governor’s announcement that checks are in the mail:
“The governor’s original budget proposal sought to cut the Senior Freeze program by $25 million, so, I’m thankful that under Democratic leadership our efforts to restore this money are finally paying off for New Jersey senior citizens.
“This program provides vital relief to senior citizens and residents with disabilities struggling to stay in their homes when faced with skyrocketing property taxes. The governor’s budget cuts last year helped result in a $1 billion increase in property taxes statewide. Seniors and the disabled weren’t going to be able to continue to absorb this type of increase, which is why I sponsored the resolution to restore this vital program with my Democratic colleagues.
“I’m glad to see the governor agreed, and I hope he can take that same cooperative approach to restoring money for nursing homes and specialty care nursing facilities, among other valuable services.
“Caring for senior and disabled residents isn’t about politics. It’s about doing the right thing. Restoring the Senior Freeze program was the right thing and I’m very pleased to see the results of our effort.”