Three-Month State Spending Plan Bill Receives Final Legislative Approval

Legislation Sponsored by Assembly Democrats Pintor Marin & Burzichelli

(TRENTON) – The full Assembly today voted 46-27 to approve legislation (A-3) to extend the State spending authority by three months and make Fiscal Year 2020 supplemental appropriations of $7.7 billion in State funds and $4.5 billion in federal funds. The bill’s sponsors, Assembly Budget Committee chair Eliana Pintor Marin (D-Essex) and vice chair, Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem) issued the following statements:

Pintor Marin: “Today marks a pivotal day as we ensure government continues to operate for the people of New Jersey amidst a public and economic health emergency.  We are experiencing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. This is a ‘bare bones’ spending plan because it has to be. This pandemic has forced the residents of this state to make some very difficult choices. The government will have to do the same, both now and again in October. However, working together we were able to achieve several critical elements with this passage. This bill ensures a balanced spending for the State and it does that without tax increases. This spending plan includes over $4 billion in cuts, but does include some minimal spending restorations in important areas such as higher education. It also reallocates almost $4 million from statewide information technology projects to the Department of Labor for unemployment insurance processing modernization so that every eligible filer receives the benefits they so desperately need.”

Burzichelli: “We are showing bold leadership in a fiscal crisis. This spending plan is austere. It is also fair and responsible given the economic calamity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The State Treasurer indicated that State revenue is expected to decline by more than $10 billion for the 15-month period from April 2020 through June 2021. That is a staggering number and it is unprecedented. Difficult decisions had to be made. We made those decisions. We have produced a balanced spending plan without raising taxes.”

The bill was also approved today by the full Senate and now heads to the Governor’s desk.