(NORTHFIELD) – Tuesday afternoon, Governor Murphy withdrew his plan to siphon $33 million from a relief fund for New Jersey firefighters after heavy pushback from legislators and unions on both sides of the political aisle. Assemblymen John Armato and Vince Mazzeo (Both D-Atlantic) issued the following statement today:

“Having been a volunteer firefighter for 49 years and counting, I have seen firsthand the relief that this funding provides to families in their most desperate times of need,” said Armato. “During difficult and challenging situations, the families of our brave firefighters should not be focused on the burden of paying funeral costs or making ends meet. These heroes put their lives in danger to protect their friends and neighbors and their families deserve our unwavering support and respect.”

“I’m glad to see the Governor back off this ill-conceived proposal,” said Mazzeo. “Targeting the firefighters fund was an out-of-touch money grab at the expense of hard working families. Instead of going after our selfless public servants, we should be focusing on the real problems facing New Jersey, like our underfunded pension system, our highest-in-the-nation property taxes and the ever-soaring cost of health care, just to name a few.”