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A Story of Mass Hysteria Caused by a Budget Not Yet Introduced; Rated P for “Premature”
Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee today expressed bewilderment at the use of the committee’s time to hold a hearing on Governor Christie’s proposed income tax plan weeks ahead of the Governor’s Budget Message:
“Emma’s Law” & Displaced Homemakers Awareness Month Move Forward
Two bills sponsored by Senate Republican Budget Officer Anthony Bucco moved forward Monday. S-1999, “Emma’s Law” which provides for the screening of newborns for lysosomal storage disorders and SJR- 76, which designates May as Displaced Homemakers Awareness Month, were both released from the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee and are now before the full Senate.
“I am pleased that these two important measures moved,” Bucco began. “I hope that my colleagues in both houses will pass these two initiatives and bring them before Governor Christie by the end of the year.”
Vote Paves Way for Critical Transportation Projects, Puts People Back to Work
Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25), a member of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, praised the committee for finally voting to authorize the Transportation Trust Fund Authority to make use of $1.315 billion of unused bonding capacity to fund critical transportation projects. He said that the vote was given added importance by a new report issued by Transportation for America which cited the poor state of North Jersey bridges.
“The report issued by Transportation for America is further proof that we can no longer delay the funding of critical transportation projects, including bridge repair and replacement,” said Bucco. “I am glad that members of both parties were able to break through the legislative gridlock that was preventing us from getting to work on making our transportation infrastructure safe. Just as importantly, this funding will help create new jobs for many in the construction industry who have been hit especially hard by the down economy.”
Two pieces of legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Budget Officer Tony Bucco, that would help spur job creation and economic growth, cleared the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.
Tax Credit Offered For When Employees Are Called Up to Active Duty
Legislation sponsored by Senators Steve Oroho (R-24) and Anthony Bucco (R-25) that provides tax credits to businesses who have employees that are called up for active duty military service was passed by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.
“Some employers may be hesitant to hire and invest in the training of an individual who serves in the National Guard or a reserve component of the armed forces because they may be concerned that a leave of absence will provide an undue financial hardship to their business, ”
Senate Republican Budget Officer Tony Bucco issued the following statement regarding the Senate Budget and Appropriation Committee’s hearing today on infrastructure problems at the Motor Vehicle Commission:
“These problems were not created overnight; they are the result of years of neglect of the state’s IT system. The Christie Administration cannot be expected to snap its fingers and make the problem go away overnight, and certainly not when the Majority’s idea of fiscal discipline is to pass a budget that is nearly $1 billion in the red.”
LIHEAP Aid Increased For 135,000 Eligible Households
Senate Republican Budget Officer Tony Bucco praised Governor Christie’s efforts today to identify additional funds to help senior citizens and the disabled cope with rising energy costs.
“This summer has seen an endless round of heat waves across the country. In New Jersey the last heat wave saw temperatures rise above the 100 degree mark on several occasions across the state.
“These high temperatures and the accompanying high humidity have created dangerous conditions for at risk populations. Senior citizens and the disabled are especially vulnerable to these conditions.
Increased Local School Aid Encourages Property Tax Relief Efforts
Senate Republican Budget Officer Tony Bucco announced today that local school districts will receive an additional $318 million in school aid for the 2011-2012 school year:
Senator Bucco worked closely with the Christie Administration in an effort to gain a fairer share of school aid dollars for suburban schools in the final state budget signed by the Governor.
“School children and property taxpayers are the primary beneficiaries of the Governor’s decision to dedicate additional state revenue to school aid for suburban communities,” said Senator Bucco. “I’m pleased that Governor Christie worked with us over the past several months to dedicate additional state revenues to school aid for suburban communities.”
Senate Republican Budget Officer Tony Bucco released the following statement calling on Trenton Democrats to stop playing on the emotions of New Jerseyans in attempt to score election year points:
“As the Trenton Democrats prepare to override Governor Christie’s line item vetoes – which balanced the budget – their continued use of New Jersey’s struggling families and towns as political pawns is disturbing to me.
“Even for Trenton Democrats this latest display of blatant election year maneuvering is shocking. Democrats, who control the Legislature, passed an unconstitutional budget filled with election year spending but they conveniently ignored one thing – a way to pay for it.
Governor Christie Balances Budget While Increasing School Aid
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senate Republican Budget Officer Tony Bucco praised Governor Christie’s changes to the Democrats illegal, out of balance budget today for heeding Republican calls for added suburban school aid in the context of a balanced, fiscally responsible budget:
“The budget passed by legislative Democrats was political, partisan, and unbalanced from the minute it was introduced,” said Senator Kean. “I commend the Governor for taking the bold action necessary to fill the more than $700 million hole he was handed yesterday by the Majority, and for doing so while increasing aid for suburban districts that are treated unfairly by current school funding law. The Governor has proven what Republicans have been saying all along: we can do right by the taxpayers of New Jersey without resorting to the budget gimmicks and irresponsibility of the past. His changes to the budget will provide a doubling of this year’s suburban school aid increase and unfreeze the ‘Senior Freeze’ program without raising taxes and hurting job creation to pay for it.”
