February 11, 2010
 | DeCROCE SAYS CHRISTIE PLAN LAYS A FOUNDATION |
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce says the emergency money-saving steps proposed by Gov. Chris Christie to close a projected $2.2 billion budget deficit this year will spare taxpayers more pain and finally put state finances on the road to long-term financial stability.
“The governor inherited a massive and unprecedented financial problem, but instead of raising taxes as Corzine did when he took office so he could increase state spending, the plan Christie outlined today is a dramatic break with the misguided policies of the past that only perpetuated our problems and made them worse with each passing year.”
DeCroce said government at all levels have to make sacrifices. He said he is aware some local officials will claim that withholding state aid only shifts the burden of the state’s problem to them.
“Both Corzine and McGreevey withheld state aid payments, but they never took steps to make sure they wouldn’t have to do it again,” DeCroce noted. “Governor Christie is handling the situation in a way that will make a positive difference in the future. The Christie plan twill not take one dollars from school operations or the classroom, and it will not force a property tax increase.
“The fact of the matter is towns, counties and school districts face the same options we do, and they should do everything within their power to manage the situation without penalizing taxpayers,” DeCroce said.
“Our fiscal plight is the result of years of pandering to special interests and spending money regardless of the financial consequence. Many of our wounds were self-inflicted. Past administrations spent too much, borrowed too much and taxed too much. Instead of encouraging economic growth, creating jobs and making sure New Jersey remains an affordable place to live, residents were saddled with the highest tax burden in the nation and we now have the dubious distinction of being the state with the worst business climate in the entire country.
“Governments – at every level – must learn to live within their means and stop banking on bailouts and permanent ‘entitlements,’” DeCroce said. “The sacrifices and steps we make today will ensure the economic security for future generations.’
