(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Daniel Benson (D-Mercer, Middlesex), member of the Assembly Budget Committee, released the following statement after today’s committee hearing to receive testimony from the State Treasurer on the upcoming FY2021 budget:
“While it’s clear that the budget we adopt will be different than the governor’s proposed budget, we can agree that we must be prepared for the worst, but still flexible to react to a future recovery from this pandemic. That means ensuring we are not borrowing any more than absolutely necessary, while also not cutting any vital services that could hurt that recovery.
“I was happy to hear that the Senior Freeze property tax relief payments, initially delayed, could go out as quickly as mid – October if included in the final budget adoption. I intend to work tirelessly to ensure the Senior Freeze and Homestead Rebate programs are restored. I look forward to the further discussions about how to right-size this budget to meet our state’s financial needs. “