TRENTON – Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver today released the following statements:
Senate President Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem)
“If the governor wishes to dismiss out-of-hand a balanced budget that does not raise taxes, funds our schools, provides real property tax relief to seniors and protects our most vulnerable without even waiting to read it, that is his right. But that is irresponsible and an affront to the working families who are shouldering the burden of his past budget decisions. More than anything else, a budget represents the priorities of a state, and the budget Democrats will send to the governor will truly represent the priorities of the majority of New Jerseyans.”
Speaker Oliver (D-Essex/Passaic)
“We appreciate the governor’s input, but for all his rhetoric it’s clear his budget policies have done nothing to improve the lives of working class New Jerseyans suffering under his property tax increases and high unemployment. The Democrats will be sending the governor a balanced budget that makes the needs of working class New Jerseyans a priority. If the governor is opposed to such priorities, then he will be solely responsible for setting back efforts to boost property tax relief, promote quality education, create jobs, provide health care for women and accomplish many other worthy goals vital to working class families. New Jerseyans cannot afford more of Gov. Christie’s budget policies.”