Monday, the Assembly Budget Committee cleared a Fiscal Year 2020 State Budget proposed by Democrats in the legislature. Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin (D-Essex) issued the following statement:
“Our budget provides more funding for property tax relief, seniors, veterans, higher education, community colleges, NJ Transit and more without raising taxes on New Jerseyans.
Our budget is fiscally responsible with a healthy surplus of over $1.4 billion. Our budget funds our priorities and the Governor’s priorities and provides a record pension payment of $3.8 billion.
“We provide almost $175 million in property tax relief. We provide $75 million in increased funding for NJ Transit which is $50 million more than the Governor proposed.
To mitigate the impact of the minimum wage increase of various sectors we’ve included $21 million for Personal Care Assistants and $20 million for Direct Service Providers.
“We have increased our property tax program by fully funding the Senior Freeze program for the first time in a decade with an $18 million increase and doubling the veterans’ income tax deduction which will provide an additional $23 million in tax relief which will positively impact an estimated 387,000 veterans in New Jersey.
“This is a good budget. I’m proud of this budget.”