Mayor Sean M. Spiller Statement on Governor Murphy’s Budget Address

For Immediate Release:

I applaud Governor Murphy for crafting a budget that continues to prioritize investments in New Jersey residents and to grow an innovation economy focused on equity and opportunity.

Economic growth and social progress go hand in hand – a long standing value we in Montclair share and know to be true.

Continued investment in pre-k, k-12 and higher education means more opportunity for the young people in our state. The ANCHOR program of property tax relief will help both homeowners and renters. The focus on access to controlling costs of healthcare, especially pharmaceuticals, rightly prioritizes healthcare as we come out of the pandemic. The full pension payment, surplus and debt defeasance fund are key steps to ensuring our secure financial future.

Progressive governance means making sustainable decisions that put people first.

Those who stand against this kind of progress present us with a false choice between using government to help people or fiscal responsibility.  Governor Murphy has demonstrated what we have shown in Montclair–that you can do both.

We can invest in people and achieve bond rating upgrades. We can fund education and services and keep debt under control.

The critical investments we make today will continue to put New Jersey on solid ground for years to come.  I look forward to supporting the Governor’s budget that continues to make NJ stronger and fairer.