The Assembly Budget Committee conducted its first public hearing Wednesday on Governor Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2022 State Budget proposal. Assembly Budget Chair Eliana Pintor Marin (D-Essex) issued the following statement:
“Public hearings are a critical component of the budget process and our way of hearing directly from those who are impacted by the State budget. COVID-19 has presented significant challenges for every New Jersey family and business and makes this year’s budget process incredibly important.
“I am grateful that so many advocates were able to participate today and express their perspectives on the FY 2022 budget proposal. Issues raised include higher education funding, mental health services, support for our critical network of nonprofit social services, rental assistance, and many other critical areas of spending.
“The budget is hundreds of pages long and spends over $45 billion in State funding. The public hearings continue to help legislators better understand the impact of each and every dollar spent on every page of this budget and make the best possible decision as we craft the final State spending plan.
“We are at the very beginning of the process with three months of listening and learning ahead of us. Budget committee members and I look forward to working together to put forward a spending plan that meets our obligations and works best for New Jersey residents now and in the future.”