New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has proposed a Fiscal Year 2013 State Budget of $32.1 billion. Here is some information on the budget and reaction to the plan from members of the state Legislature, including Assemblyman Christopher J. Brown.
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- Gov. Chris Christie Proposes State Budget –Millennium News
Yesterday, before a joint session of the State legislature Governor Chris Christie delivered his Fiscal Year 2013 State Budget Address. It includes a modest increase in state aid to schools and the largest ever payment into the public workers’ pension system, but it’s two tax-related proposals that are garnering the most attention and Democrats are bashing both of them.
The $32.1 billion spending plan is more than $2 billion above the current budget. It provides $213 million more for schools over last year. The Christie Administration is projecting revenue growth of 7.3% in the coming year. It is with that revenue that the Administration hopes to fund the first phase of the 10% state income tax cut which is expected to cost $183.3 million in the first year. The legislature would need to approve the tax cut.
Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick says, “Governor Christie outlined a fiscally responsible budget that will advance the New Jersey recovery for taxpayers and businesses. The Governor’s budget increases state educational aid to its highest level in history, makes the required pension payment of $1.1 billion, and cuts income taxes by 10 percent. As a result of Governor Christie’s leadership, we have a budget that funds core priorities and provides tax relief for every New Jerseyan.”
http://nj1015.com/chris-christie-proposes-state-budget-democrats-blast-the-plan/
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- Reaction To Governor’s Budget Address — Millennium News
Assemblyman Christopher J. Brown, R-Burlington
“This budget will cut taxes for every worker in the state and will help property taxpayers with the largest state aid payment to help schools offset the property tax burden in New Jersey history. Sound fiscal policies like these have brought New Jersey back from the brink and this budget will hasten the state’s recovery and ability to add good-paying private-sector jobs.”
Assemblyman Scott Rudder, R-Burlington
“Governor Christie’s first two budgets held the line on taxes and helped create 60,000 private-sector jobs. This budget goes further and will give money back to families and businesses at a time when the states we’re competing with for jobs are considering raising income taxes.This budget will reduce the burden on taxpayers and allow businesses to stay in New Jersey and create the jobs we need.”
Assembly Republican Conference Leader Dave Rible, R-Monmouth and Ocean
“Governor Christie’s budget proposal reflects the priorities that are most important to the people of the state – reducing taxes, creating jobs, and reforming education. The governor’s budget reflects his pledge to fund key programs while maintaining the fiscal discipline he established over the last two years.Because of these fiscal controls, Governor Christie is able to present a pro-growth agenda that will create good-paying jobs and ease the burden on taxpayers. Putting New Jersey’s fiscal house in order is starting to pay dividends. Cutting income taxes by 10 percent, increasing educational aid by over $200 million and targeting $350 million in business tax cuts shows the governor is focused on the core priorities of the state.”
Assembly Republican Budget Officer Declan O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth
“Governor Christie’s first two budgets scored significant victories for taxpayers and fiscal sanity and this is the best New Jersey budget I have ever seen. The 10 percent income-tax cut for every worker in New Jersey combined with increases in state aid to our schools and the continuation of business tax cuts means we haven’t taken our eye off the ball and can deliver a broad and balanced approach to tax relief…
Assembly Republican Anthony M. Bucco, R-Morris and Passaic
“The spending plan proposed by Governor Christie shows that the fiscal priorities established over the last two years are now paying dividends. Residents will benefit from the across-the-board income tax cut as well as from the $213 million increase in educational aid. Businesses will continue to grow and create good-paying jobs because of the $350 million in tax cuts that are contained in the new budget…”
Assemblywoman Donna Simon, R-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset
“Today’s announcement underlines Governor Christie’s commitment to provide hardworking taxpayers with the relief they deserve while strengthening the opportunities for students across our state. I am encouraged that fiscal discipline over the last two years has allowed us to increase state funding to our schools by $213 million this year. Education funding now accounts for 36 percent of our total budget. This is the largest amount of state money budgeted for education in New Jersey history…”
http://nj1015.com/reaction-to-governors-budget-address/
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- Analysis: Gov banking on a better economy — Gannett News
In declaring that it is the time to make “better choices,” which includes an income tax cut, Gov. Christie believes now in a much better economy for New Jersey. Experts are not so sure.
Observers and opponents, meanwhile, wonder if Christie’s political agenda is shaping the revenue outlook as the governor turns the corner toward his re-election year. Christie said he believes that state tax revenues are going to increase, in total, by 7.5 percent, which includes a 13.5 percent jump in corporate business taxes and a 6.3 percent hike in income taxes.
Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, the Republican budget officer, said he was confident that Christie’s projections are solid, and he noted that in the last two years, Democrats called for more spending and were proven wrong by when revenues came in lower.
“It’s a budget based on the facts on the ground, just as the previous ones were,” said O’Scanlon, of Monmouth County. “The folks who were accurate over the past several years — the administration — ought to get credit for having been right and have the credibility (now). “This governor, I bet you, will not have a year in which he overspends,” O’Scanlon added.
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012302210068