These 3 Essex County Lawmakers Played Key Roles In NJ Budget – Patch.com

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A trio of Democratic state lawmakers who represent towns in Essex County played key roles in the state’s annual budgeting process this year: Eliana Pintor Marin, Teresa Ruiz and John McKeon.

PINTOR MARIN: ‘CRITICAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF’

Pintor Marin, the budget chair in the Assembly, said the spending plan will bring some welcome tax relief for middle-class New Jersey residents and homeowners.

“Under these measures, critical property tax relief will be provided to our state’s middle-class families and residents,” the assemblywoman said earlier this week.

“The impact of this relief, particularly under the increase of the Homestead rebate and expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, will ensure New Jersey is place where people can thrive and build a life,” Pintor Marin said.

On Thursday, after the Assembly passed their version of the budget, Pintor Marin issued a joint statement with Assemblyman John Burzichelli:

“This budget invests in our economy, invests in our residents and will make us more resilient in preparing for future challenges. The impact of tax relief in this budget, particularly under the increase in the Home Rebate Program and expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, will ensure New Jersey is more affordable and a state where people can thrive and build a life. The budget also provides funding for COVID-related needs to protect the safety, health and well-being of New Jersey’s nine million residents. We are also paying down debt and creating a $3.7 billion debt defeasance fund to save taxpayers’ money to pay down existing debt and avoid debt in the future. The budget does not include any tax increases, but it does ensure that approximately 760,000 New Jerseyans will receive a $500 tax rebate. We are proud of this spending plan and all it does for the people who call New Jersey home.”

The 29th District includes Belleville and Newark.

RUIZ: ‘INVESTING IN OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE’

Ruiz, who is a member of the Senate budget committee and also represents the 29th District, said Thursday that “significant investments” are being made to education, childcare and public assistance.

“The budget we passed represents the culmination of months of long meetings and thoughtful deliberations, which resulted in over $468 million of state and federal money being invested in our children’s future,” said Ruiz, who also serves as chair of the Senate education committee.

Ruiz said:

“Throughout our budget process, I fought hard to ensure we included meaningful investments in the education of our children. The increase in extraordinary special education and early intervention funding will reduce the financial burden placed on local districts and ensure our students with intellectual and developmental disabilities are receiving the support that they need. We also included funding for innovative programs to ensure our schools are not only providing extraordinary academic instruction but are also taking care of our students as a whole.”

Ruiz also said she advocated for the inclusion of $100 million for child care revitalization in the proposed budget.

“It is critical we have the infrastructure in place to support the anticipated move back to in-person work,” Ruiz said. “The $100 million committed for child care revitalization will ensure providers around the state are able to keep their doors open and meet the growing demand expected in the months ahead.”

“We cannot afford to allow this industry to collapse,” Ruiz urged. “This much needed investment will ensure they are able to continue to serve their communities and care for our children.”

MCKEON: ‘WE SHOULD BE INCREDIBLY EXCITED’

McKeon, who represents the 27th District and sits on the budget committee in the Assembly, said $4 out of every $10 is going to additional pension funding. It’s “the best thing we could ever do,” he opined earlier this week.

“The extra $6 are going to things like domestic violence, (tuition aid) grants and food insecurity,” McKeon said. “These are priorities to care for those who are most in need of that care and makes me very proud to be a part of this.”

McKeon noted that lawmakers feared the pandemic would trigger massive spending cuts last year.

“I think we should be incredibly excited,” the assemblyman said. “We thought we were going to be in such a bad situation, we were planning for the worst and could only dream about the best – and that’s what this now represents.”

The 27th District includes Caldwell, Chatham Township, East Hanover, Essex Fells, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Livingston, Madison, Maplewood, Millburn, Roseland, South Orange and West Orange.

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