Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo’s Statement on Budget Deliberations

(Trenton, NJ) — Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo (D-Atlantic) released the following statement regarding the current budget deliberations in Trenton. Assemblyman Mazzeo has expressed reservations about supporting the budget under the current circumstance.

“I can’t in good conscious cast my vote in support of a budget that will be completely ripped apart when it hits the Governor’s desk. As I have told legislative leadership, unless a deal is negotiated with the Governor and the Senate for the funding of key issues, I believe too much is at stake to support this budget.”

“Even despite his 15% approval rating, Governor Christie still holds the power to line item veto funding for key items that are vital for Atlantic County — an additional $8.5 million in public school funding, over 230 new state funded jobs for Stockton University’s Gateway Campus in Atlantic City, financial support for lower income students in New Jersey higher education programs, and sexual violence prevention programs. Without a deal that these and similar issues will be funded, passing the FY18 budget now leaves too much at stake and is too much of a risk for Atlantic County. I urge legislative leaders to get back to the negotiating table and find a solution which keeps these essential programs and services funded in the budget.”