TRENTON – Senator Brian Stack, D-Hudson and a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, reacted today to Governors Corzine’s austere Budget Address:
“I commend Governor Corzine for his continued dedication to getting New Jersey’s financial house in order. It is clear we still have a long way to go, but we are on the right path to fiscal discipline and responsible budgets.
“State debt and our pension obligations continue to loom over the budget process and dictate what we can and cannot do as a state. We must do a better job in addressing these obligations and reducing their impact on the budgeting process.
“At the same time, the Governor must not forget those programs that benefit our neediest. The Governor’s proposed cut in municipal aid and charity care aid for hospitals leaves me concerned that essential local programs will be eliminated and more New Jersey hospitals will close. The Legislature will need to work with the Governor to find alternative cuts so that these programs can continue to serve New Jersey’s neediest residents.”