(4th LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT) – Assemblyman Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester/Camden) released the following statement Tuesday on Republican opposition to the Democratic plan to eliminate Gov. Chris Christie’s cuts to senior citizens:
“It’s amazing how Gov. Christie and his allies are steadfastly embracing a tax increase for more than 600,000 senior citizens. “Let’s face it, the Christie budget plan means a tax increase for many senior citizens and a tax cut for the rich.
“That’s not fairness.
“That’s putting a brutal burden on the backs of our most vulnerable elderly residents while the rich get richer.
“An analysis by the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services reported that under the Christie plan, a retired couple living on a fixed income of $40,000 would see a $1,320 increase in taxes while a family making $1.2 million would receive a tax cut of $11,598.
“That analysis did not include estimates for Christie’s higher prescription drug costs, which the New Jersey Foundation for Aging estimates will cost the average senior citizen an extra $430 per year, pushing the Christie’s senior tax hike to nearly $1,800.
“The plan to restore the millionaire’s tax to eliminate Gov. Christie’s plan to slam senior citizens is a compassionate plan that ensures everyone shares in the sacrifice.
“Democrats are willing to work with the governor to solve our budget problems, but not at the expense of our most vulnerable senior citizens.
“This is really a question of priorities.
“We think everyone should share the sacrifice, and our priority is senior citizens.
“Gov. Christie’s priority is tax breaks millionaires.”
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