Senate President Steve Sweeney today said that he is naming Paul Sarlo, the chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, and Senator Steve Oroho, the Senate Republican Budget Officer, as the Senate’s bipartisan fiscal strategists to work with the Murphy Administration and the Legislature to develop plans to restart the state’s economy in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

Senator Sweeney said it is important to assess all the factors that will shape the state’s fiscal and economic conditions and make the strategic plans needed to recover from the damage to the finances of individuals, businesses and public services.

“We need to get a firm grasp of all the economic and fiscal factors that will impact the state so that we can make plans to restart the state’s economy when we emerge from the coronavirus crisis,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “Senators Sarlo and Oroho are experienced fiscal strategists who bring a wealth of knowledge of budget and economic policies and the real-life impact they have for government, businesses, communities, families and individuals throughout the state. The Legislature and the Administration need to work together so that we can emerge from this crisis as effectively as possible.”

Senator Sweeney said the fiscal recovery priorities should include an effort to make sure that New Jersey gets its fair share of federal aid, coordinates a coherent three-month budget extension for the current fiscal year, develops an “economically-prudent” plan for next year’s nine-month budget, and puts together a comprehensive game plan to reopen the economy when the “Great Lockdown” finally ends.

“The public’s health and safety is the ongoing priority, but we also have to do what we can to address the financial consequences that are having such an impact on the lives and livelihoods of almost everyone,” said Senator Sweeney. “It takes planning and preparation, and it will be done best if we work in a coordinated way. It won’t be easy, but I have confidence in the ability of New Jersey’s residents and businesses to get through this crisis.”