(TRENTON) – Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland) released the following statement Tuesday amid nonpartisan estimates that the state may collect $914 million more in revenue than expected:
“We have to be cautious with any estimate and continue a hard-line on controlling spending, but it’s my hope that the governor will be willing to work with us now to reverse cuts in programs vital to working class New Jerseyans, most notably property tax relief.
“And property tax relief for senior citizens needs to be among our top priorities.
“Besides eliminating and cutting rebates, the governor has refused new enrollments in the effective Senior Freeze property tax relief program.
“No newly eligible senior citizens will be allowed into the program and no senior citizens in the program will receive any increase to help offset the soaring property tax increases imposed by the governor.
“The administration needs to do better, and we all need to make sure this program is among the first to be restored should the estimates of increased revenue prove true.
“The governor needs to realize that a budget that forces senior citizens to bare the burden does not reflect New Jersey’s values.”