Bucco: Missed Opportunities in Murphy’s Budget

Senator Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) said the Democratic budget proposal approved by the Senate today represents missed opportunities for New Jerseyans:

“With more than $46 billion to spend, we can all find some good things in the budget. The problem, however, is with what’s not in the budget.

“There’s no meaningful long-term tax relief for our residents who face the highest property taxes in the nation.

“There’s no meaningful investment to revitalize our economy. Those aren’t my words, they are the words of the head of the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce.

“There’s no meaningful debt repayment, despite a promise from Governor Murphy that the billions he borrowed would be repaid if the money wasn’t needed. Well, the money’s not needed and the best we get in the budget is a slush fund that might be used to pay back some debt, but there’s no guarantee.

“There’s no meaningful investment to replace the obsolete computer infrastructure that led to long lines at the MVC and thousands upon thousands of unemployment claims to go unpaid.

“And finally, there’s no restoration of the millions of dollars that Governor Murphy is cutting from the three largest school districts in my district, which will lead to teachers being fired or direct property tax increases on our residents.

“If there ever was a time to build a foundation for future years, it is now. I am afraid we’ll be back here next year with nothing to show for the many tens of billions of dollars that are being spent.”