Senate Republicans Propose Returning $4 Billion to New Jersey Taxpayers
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee called for a windfall of State tax revenues to be returned to New Jersey taxpayers after the State Treasury revealed billions in unexpected revenues that isn’t needed to balance the budget or meet important priorities.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee called for a windfall of State tax revenues to be returned to New Jersey taxpayers. (Pixabay)
The following statement was released today by Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24), Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), Senator Sam Thompson (R-12), and Senator Michael Testa (R-1):
“On Monday, Senate Republicans put out a comprehensive plan for the budget and for effectively utilizing the nearly $6.5 billion of new federal relief funds at New Jersey’s disposal.
Republican Budget Committee Members: Murphy Administration Has $11.5 Billion and No Plan to Help NJ
Revenue Update Shows Massive $5 Billion Increase in State Revenues
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee responded to a revenue update from the Murphy administration showing a massive $5 billion increase in State revenues during FY 2021 and FY 2022, well beyond what legislators were told to expect. Combined with nearly $6.5 billion in federal relief funds sent to New Jersey, the Murphy administration now has $11.5 billion in cash and absolutely no plan to use it to help New Jersey.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee responded to a revenue update from the Murphy administration showing a massive $5 billion increase in State revenues, well beyond what legislators were told to expect. (Pixabay)
“The updated revenue figures demonstrate yet again that the information provided by the Murphy administration to the Legislature in recent weeks was grossly inaccurate,” said Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24). “When she last testified before our committee in May, Treasurer Muoio suggested revenues might be adjusted upwards by a few hundred million dollars. We deserve the opportunity to ask the Treasurer why the Murphy Administration’s guidance was off by nearly $5 billion. Further, I believe we should form a special committee with subpoena power to investigate how the Murphy administration has misled lawmakers, the court, and taxpayers on our finances and the billions of dollars Governor Murphy borrowed unnecessarily last year.”
Senate Republicans Propose Budget Fixes & Reforms to Protect NJ Taxpayers
Republicans serving on the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee detailed proposed changes to Governor Phil Murphy’s FY 2022 State Budget proposal in a letter (click here for PDF) to Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Budget Chairman Paul Sarlo.
Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee detailed proposed changes to Governor Phil Murphy’s FY 2022 State Budget proposal in a letter to Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Budget Chairman Paul Sarlo (Pixabay)
They recommended reforms that would protect New Jersey taxpayers, restore transparency to the appropriations process, and ensure billions in new federal relief funds are utilized effectively.
“We’re concerned that Governor Murphy’s budget plan misses important opportunities to provide tax relief to workers and businesses that are struggling to recover from the pandemic,” said Senator Steven Oroho (R-24), the Republican Budget Officer. “We offered detailed solutions to lower income taxes for telecommuters and prevent an avoidable payroll tax increase on small businesses, all while increasing state revenues. It’s a win-win that the Murphy administration would be wise to accept.”
State Treasurer’s Revelation Today Demonstrates Why Legislature Must Strip Murphy Administration of Power to Spend Federal Funds Immediately
Murphy Administration Already Received $6.3 Billion in Federal Relief Funds, Didn’t Tell Anyone & Has No Plan to Use it Effectively
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee responded to the shocking revelation by Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio at today’s budget hearing that the Murphy Administration has already received $6.3 billion in federal relief funds, but failed to tell anyone.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee responded to the shocking revelation by Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio at a budget hearing that the Murphy Administration has already received $6.3 billion in federal relief funds, but failed to tell anyone. (Pixabay)
Both Republicans and Democrats on the Budget Committee expressed surprise that committee members were not notified of the receipt of federal relief funds through the ARP Act prior to today’s budget hearing.
Republican Budget Members: Health Commissioner Continues to Dodge Questions, Refuses to Repeal Outdated Policies
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee said repeated claims by New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli at a budget hearing that the Murphy administration has been transparent about pandemic response are demonstrably false. Further, they expressed shock that she refuses to admit that clearly outdated policies should be repealed to aid in New Jersey’s recovery
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee said Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli has not been transparent during the pandemic or at today’s budget hearing, and they expressed shock that she refuses to admit that clearly outdated policies should be repealed. (SenateNJ.com)
“Mourning families, concerned legislators, and investigative journalists have all bemoaned the wall of secrecy that has been put up by the Murphy administration and the Department of Health about tragic policy decisions that led to the massive loss of life in our nursing homes,” said Senator Steven Oroho (R-24), the Senate Republican Budget Officer. “Commissioner Persichilli cannot claim to have been transparent when her department has systematically denied public records requests and she has refused invitations to testify before legislators and the public.”
Thompson on Politicization & Abuses in DCA’s Main Street Business Support Programs
At yesterday’s hearing of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee with Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) sought to address the abuse of federal CARES Act relief funds entrusted to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
Sen. Sam Thompson sought to address the abuse of federal CARES Act relief funds entrusted to the Department of Community Affairs during a budget hearing this week. (©iStock)
Due to the constraints of the committee, he was unable to complete his questioning of the Lt. Governor.
Included below are Sen. Thompson’s full comments and questions as prepared for the hearing:
Some of the $2.4 billion CARES Act block grant received by Treasury was made available to support small businesses and nonprofits reeling from COVID 19 shut-downs and restrictions. The bulk of this support was channeled through the Economic Development Authority. Though grossly underfunded by the Governor, EDA’s programs treated all small businesses and nonprofits throughout the State with the same set of rules and didn’t play favorites.
Republican Budget Members Outline Responsible Plan for $6.5 Billion of ARP Federal Relief Funds
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee outlined a proposed framework for the State of New Jersey to responsibly utilize $6.5 billion in new federal relief funds with legislative approval.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee outlined a proposed framework for the State of New Jersey to responsibly utilize $6.5 billion in new federal relief funds with legislative approval. (Pixabay)
With more than $3 billion of the funds to be received by the State in the next 30 days, the legislators challenged the Murphy Administration and Democratic legislative majorities to propose their own plans, debate them publicly, and appropriate the funds in a transparent and open process that gives the public a chance to be heard.
“The Murphy Administration dropped the ball in its handling of the $2.4 billion of CARES Act funds that came to New Jersey last April,” said Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13). “He sat on the money for months and then used it to pay for ordinary government expenses rather than helping people. With another $6.5 billion in federal relief coming to New Jersey, we can’t afford to let him make the same mistake on an even bigger scale. Our plan is the first step in reasserting the Legislature and public into the appropriations process.”
Republican Budget Members Say State Revenue Update Highlights Extent of Murphy’s False Projections
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee said a State revenue update provided to legislators today demonstrates the extent of the Murphy Administration’s false revenue projections during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee said a State revenue update provided to legislators demonstrates the extent of the Murphy Administration’s false revenue projections during the coronavirus pandemic. (Pixabay)
“The Murphy Administration peddled outrageous claims about the State’s finances over the past year that have proven to be completely false,” said Senator Steven Oroho (R-24), the Republican Budget Officer. “Going back to last July, we had clear signs the State’s financial picture was better than expected despite the Murphy Administration’s measures that needlessly destroyed so many businesses. The governor stuck by his false projections to secure approval for unnecessary tax increases and an otherwise unconstitutional borrowing scheme to build a massive surplus that he could spend while he runs for reelection.”
Local Lawmakers Condemn Racist Email to Old Bridge Councilwoman
State GOP lawmakers representing the Old Bridge in Legislative District 12 condemned a racist email sent to a Democrat councilwoman in the township.
Sen. Sam Thompson and State GOP lawmakers representing Old Bridge condemned a racist email sent to a Democrat councilwoman in the township. (Pixabay)
“The fact that there is this sort of hate based on race is disgraceful,” said Sen. Samuel Thompson (R-12), who lives in Old Bridge. “Diversity is something to be proud of because it has endured despite attacks from people who can’t see past skin color or ethnicity.”
District 12 Lawmakers Slam Murphy Administration For Slashing School Funding
Sen. Samuel Thompson and Assemblymen Ron Dancer and Rob Clifton slammed Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration for proposing cuts to schools across the state, including those represented by the lawmakers in Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Sen. Samuel Thompson, Asm. Ron Dancer, and Asm. Rob Clifton slammed Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration for proposing cuts to schools across the state. (Pixabay)
The lawmakers received an email from Department of Education Acting Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan outlining Murphy’s proposed state aid cuts to nine of the 17 schools they represent. The schools are among the 193 districts statewide that would receive less aid under Murphy’s budget proposal.
