Trenton, NJ – Governor Murphy recently proposed a state budget that eliminates $200,000 for the state Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, which was traditionally used for legislative advocacy on behalf of the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. This funding has helped the Joint Base successfully make the case for their mission during Base Realignment and Closure procedures. In honor of Military Appreciation Month, NJGOP Chairman Steinhardt is calling on Governor Murphy to revisit this cut to his budget:

“I know that all of New Jersey’s elected officials appreciate and support our troops, but during Military Appreciation Month, I ask that Governor Murphy take a few moments to reflect on the $200,000 he slashed from the state budget, which goes towards advocating for the mission of the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

“Not only are we proud of our state’s military instillations, because of the honor they bring us to have our brave troops in our communities, but we are also cognizant of the economic driver that the Joint Base is for South Jersey. It drives an estimated $7 billion annually into our state’s economy and creates 41,000 jobs.

“New Jersey and our troops need Governor Murphy to prioritize the military during the month of May. We need him to appoint a Military and Defense Economic Ombudsman, and restore the funding he cut for the Joint Base. At the very least, perhaps he can find the money to support our troops in the multi-million dollar pot of giveaways he carved out for convicted felons and illegal immigrants.”