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Buono Response To GOP Press Release On Budget

As Members Tout Willingness to Work with Administration, Press Release Seeks to Score Political Points

TRENTON – Senator Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, Chairwoman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement in response to a press release from the Republican members of the Budget Committee which she characterized as “an unfortunate attempt to politicize an historic economic crisis”:

“While my Republican colleagues on the Budget Committee pledged in committee to work in a bi-partisan fashion to overcome New Jersey’s pressing economic problems, they were busily distributing a run-of –the-mill partisan press release directly referencing the Governor’s campaign for re-election.

“At a time when the people we represent are clamoring for leadership, it is unfortunate that the minority members of the Committee would show reluctance to be part of the solution to address the historic decline in revenues caused by the global economic meltdown.

“Rather than resort to blatant partisanship, I would urge my legislative colleagues to begin this process with an open mind, and be willing to work with all parties to craft a budget solution that benefits all the people of the State, whatever political affiliation they may be. The Republican Budget Committee members’ written statement reflects poorly on their verbal commitment to work together to accomplish the people’s business.

“The Democratic members of the Committee stand ready and willing to work with every member willing to provide honest budget solutions to our State’s fiscal problems.”