4 Top Lawmakers From Essex County React To Murphy’s NJ Budget – Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy’s latest state budget proposal got mixed reactions from four top lawmakers who represent towns in Essex County on Tuesday: Sen. Teresa Ruiz and Joe Pennacchio, and Assembly members Eliana Pintor Marin and Britnee Timberlake.

With some of the nation’s highest property taxes and the continued economic windfall of the pandemic, Gov. Phil Murphy emphasized affordability and tax savings Tuesday as he introduced his state budget proposal for the fiscal year of 2023. Read More: Gov. Murphy’s $49B NJ Budget Focuses On Property Taxes, Relief

The $48.9 billion budget for fiscal year 2023 — about $2.5 billion more than this year’s — includes no new fees or tax hikes and reshifts the state’s tax-relief programs, which would also include renters and not just homeowners. See the 101-page “Budget in Brief” here.

PENNACCHIO: ‘ALBATROSS AROUND THE NECK’

The governor’s proposed budget got a big thumbs down from Sen. Joe Pennacchio (District 26), a Republican who represents towns that include Fairfield, North Caldwell, Verona and West Caldwell.

“The Republican approach would provide five times more tax relief, putting more money back into pockets of twice as many struggling New Jersey families,” Pennacchio alleged. “It would yield more money now when people need it the most.”

“Instead, Murphy gives them a supersized budget showing spending of $48.9 billion,” the senator continued. “If you factor in $3 billion of off-budget federal aid and $600 million unfactored capital spending accounts, the increase is insane.”

“What family runs their budget like Gov. Murphy runs the state budget?” Pennacchio questioned.

PINTOR MARIN: ‘REAPING THE REWARDS’

Murphy’s proposed budget got a much sunnier reaction from Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin (District 29), a Democratic Party member who represents Belleville and Newark.

Pintor Marin, who serves as the Assembly budget committee chair, had this to say in the wake of Murphy’s Tuesday announcement:

“It is great to listen to a budget address against the backdrop of the state’s first credit upgrade in 17 years, 3.8% 3rd quarter GDP growth that is well ahead of regional and national averages, record job growth, and recent unemployment rates that have been revised sharply lower. The governor and Legislature have worked hard in recent years to build a strong economic foundation and this budget is reaping those rewards. The discussion now is how to wisely steward growing surplus revenues and continue growth, rather than struggling to find cuts or tax increases to protect essential programs.”

Pintor Marin continued:

“As a Legislature, we are going to work harder than ever to build on these gains. We will be examining this budget proposal in detail to ensure that services and programs are being delivered efficiently. Then we will work collaboratively with the governor to deliver a budget that works for everyone while ensuring the state’s continued economic success.”

RUIZ: ‘THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES’

Another lawmaker from the 29th district, Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, called the budget proposal “encouraging.”

Ruiz, a Democrat who sits on the Senate budget committee, released the following statement on Tuesday:

“I am encouraged by the governor’s proposed budget, which prioritizes the needs of families in our state, with increases to school funding, investments in child care infrastructure and assistance for taxpayers excluded from statewide tax relief programs. With this year’s budget, we come one step closer to districts around the state reaching full funding. I look forward to the budget discussions and continuing the critical work of repairing and building new schools and ensuring the state has a robust child care system. I am grateful to have the governor as a partner in efforts to address the learning loss compounded over the last two years. These efforts underscore our commitment as a state to invest in the next generation and work towards a day when all of our students and families have access to the highest quality education in the country.”

Ruiz added:

“As a member of the Senate budget committee, I look forward to hearing from residents around the state as we enter into the budget process. I am confident the final product will be something we can all be proud of, a budget which represents the needs of our residents and offers support to those in our state who need it the most.”

TIMBERLAKE: ‘A HOUSING CRISIS’

Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake (District 34), the chair of the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee, also offered a statement in the wake of Murphy’s budget announcement.

Timberlake, a Democrat who represents towns including East Orange, Montclair and Orange, had this to say:

“Housing is the foundation upon which every necessity is built. We cannot seriously talk about closing the achievement gap in education, food insecurity, health care, or wealth building without addressing the lack of affordable housing available in the state of New Jersey. In Gov. Murphy’s budget address, I was delighted to hear about the desire to allocate $305 million to an Affordable Housing Production Fund. This fund is projected to produce approximately 3,300 affordable units within four years and provide the dollars to meet the housing requirements of the Mount Laurel Doctrine. I was also happy to learn of the property tax relief. New Jersey has the highest rate of forecloses in the nation. Property tax relief can help shift that statistic.”

Timberlake concluded:

“Our state is in a housing crisis. I am confident these measures will ensure every person can afford a roof over their head each night. I look forward to learning more about the details of the governor’s proposal and participating in the process under the leadership of Speaker Coughlin.”

With reporting from Josh Bakan, Patch staff

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