TRENTON – Senator Wayne R. Bryant, Chairman of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee, today said the Legislature should “continue searching for more budget cuts” before agreeing to any new tax hikes proposed by the Corzine Administration.
At the same time, Senator Bryant, D-Camden, said, “Everything is still on the table for the next 30 days.”
Despite lagging returns reported today by the Corzine Administration and the Office of Legislative Services for both the corporate and income taxes, Senator Bryant said June revenues must be weighed before final decisions are made in the State spending plan set to begin July 1.
“We got a set of numbers today, but there has to be some justification for suggesting we’ve got a trend going that will continue on – even into next month,” Senator Bryant said. “Meanwhile, I believe we have to keep making more cuts wherever we can.”
On whether he would support an increase in the sales tax as proposed by the Corzine Administration, Senator Bryant said, “Not today, but we’re not voting today. Let’s see the June numbers (for tax revenues). Meanwhile, like I said, everything’s still on the table.”