TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, today said the Corzine Administration’s budget proposal provides opportunities for the Legislature to “grow the economy and make government more efficient.”
“I’m very pleased to see the first Governor’s budget proposal in the six years that I have been here that doesn’t contain tax hikes,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. “It’s a refreshing place to start the budget review process because we can focus on finding new ways to help taxpayers.”
Senator Sarlo said he looked forward to upcoming budget hearings by the Senate panel before the Legislature considers its own version of the budget in time for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
“The increased aid to schools and municipalities will help the property tax problem, but we have to keep searching for more reforms,” Senator Sarlo said. “And to continue growing the economy, I really hope we can focus on the need to put video lottery terminal in operation at the Meadowlands. I don’t want New Jersey to remain at a disadvantage to our neighboring states because the money is going somewhere fast.”