(TRENTON) – Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem) released the following statement Monday after the Assembly Budget Committee heard from the Department of Human Services:
“We all know spending cuts are needed, but one thing the administration must keep in mind is that a $1 cut from personal care for the disabled is not the same thing as a routine cut for another department.
“We heard today about how the sky supposedly isn’t falling because of Gov. Christie’s budget proposal, but sound bites aside, no one can deny how this budget plan would especially place a heavy burden on those less fortunate.
“Let’s review just a few details.
“Senior citizens would lost $1,295 in property tax relief while being asked to pay significantly more for prescription drugs that help ensure their quality of life.
“The developmentally disabled would pay more for care.
“Income taxes would be increased on the working poor.
“Many women and their newborns would lose vital health care.
“Health insurance costs would be increased on working families.
“And these are just a few examples of the pain this budget would create, even if some would prefer it not be discussed in public hearings.
“Shared sacrifice may mean different things to different people, but tax and fee increases on those less fortunate, under any reasonable definition, is not shared sacrifice.
“If we measure ourselves by how we treat those less fortunate, then this budget plan falls short.”
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