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***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE*** ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS ON GOV. CHRISTIE & REPUBLICANS’ INCOME TAX INCREASE ON WORKING POOR

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(TRENTON) — Assembly members John J. Burzichelli (D-Gloucester), Albert Coutinho (D-Essex) and Joan M. Quigley (D-Hudson) today issued a multimedia package on Republican approval of legislation (A-3016) to increase income taxes on working poor New Jerseyans by reducing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

The legislators noted that this tax increase on the working poor came after Republicans twice voted against increasing the taxes on those New Jerseyans making more than $1 million.

The multimedia package consists of a video on the legislation, audio of same and a transcript of comments from the legislators.

The video can be accessed directly via our Web site — www.assemblydems.com — or by clicking here.

The audio file is available upon request.

A transcript of comments from the legislators is appended below:

Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli (D-Gloucester):
“This is a budget that the governor and the Republicans have said has no new taxes. And it’s simply isn’t the case.

“By adjusting the Earned Income Tax Credit, from 25 to 20 percent, a family of five, earning less than $49,000, will pay almost $300 more in income tax this year to the State of New Jersey.

“That’s a tax increase.”

Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-Essex):
“You know, budgets are about priorities. And what are we saying? We’re saying that we’re not going to ask millionaires to do their share. But we’re going to be asking poor, working families to give up a portion of their benefit. It really is unthinkable.”

Assemblywoman Joan M. Quigley (D-Hudson):
“Not only is this budget bad for working people and good for millionaires, but now they’re [Republicans] going after the poorest of the poor, who are struggling. Working. Not on welfare. Not expecting anyone to take care of them, but taking care of their families. And we’re going to take pennies out of their pockets? It’s unconscionable and I’m ashamed of them [Republicans] for doing it.”

Coutinho:
“We’re clearly looking at a really difficult budget during tough economic times and I would say this is the absolute worst provision in the entire piece of legislation.”

Burzichelli:
“Again, if you’re a family of five, earning less than $49,000, you’ll pay a higher income tax this year.”

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