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GREENWALD: REPUBLICANS SLAM DOOR ON ECONOMIC GROWTH & JOB CREATION

(TRENTON) – Assembly Budget Chairman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden) released the following statement Thursday after Assembly Republicans changed their votes from May and failed to support overriding Gov. Christie’s veto of a bill (A-1678) sponsored by Greenwald to create a homebuyer tax credit to create jobs and spark the economy:

“It’s clear that the Republican legislators have become nothing more than robotic automatons programmed by the governor.
“Today’s vote shows the Republicans have lost all independence and cannot think for themselves. That’s irresponsible, especially toward their constituents desperate for a job and a better economy.
“The Republicans thought the homebuyer tax credit was a good idea in May when they joined Democrats in approving it 67-8. What changed? The economy certainly hasn’t improved under Gov. Christie’s watch. The only change was the directive from the governor’s office not to support creating jobs and improving the economy for working class residents.
“This veto and the failure to support its override shows an alarming misunderstanding by the Republicans on how our economy works.
“This bill would have put carpenters, electricians, plumbers and pipefitters, among others, back to work. When a home is sold in New Jersey, income from related industries and expenditures such as furniture and appliances totals nearly $40,000.
“The tax credit would have created 18,150 jobs, bringing in more than $500 million in state income tax revenue.
“The opportunity to kick start New Jersey’s economic recovery and create jobs was knocking, but Gov. Christie and the Republicans just slammed the door in its face.”