TRENTON – Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem) released the following statement regarding Governor Chris Christie’s proposed mid-year budget cuts, which were announced today before a joint session of the Legislature:
“So much for a handshake.
“Governing by executive order and keeping plans secret until the last minute is not bipartisanship.
“Sure, these cuts will close the budget gap, but they do so in an irresponsible manner.
“Voters sent a clear message last November that they want smaller, more responsible government that is focused on its core responsibilities. These cuts don’t even begin that job.
“Instead of using the state’s current surplus to protect property taxpayers, he is simply plowing under the small, middle-class districts that have been carefully watching their budgets.
“His cut to hospitals will be doubled by the loss of federal matching aid.
“The Governor has a month before he will present his budget for next year.
“Hopefully, he’ll remember what he promised during his inauguration and actually look to the Legislature as an active partner in governing, not just a studio audience.”