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Sweeney: Tough Budget Cuts Must Be Made, Consolidation Of Services Will Help

DEPTFORD – Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, today released the following statement regarding Governor Corzine’s proposed FY 2009 budget after a Budget and Appropriations Committee hearing held at Gloucester County Institute of Technology.

“This budget season is going to be difficult – I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. My goal as we make these tough, but necessary, budget cuts is to ensure that the decisions are as fair as possible. However, we need residents to know that we are working to make cuts that will still allow them to receive as much aid as possible. Residents don’t want their services cut, and we don’t want to cut them, but it’s something we’ll have to do to make ends meet.

“I’ve been a long-time supporter of the consolidation of services within counties. This is one way that towns can save money, while still ensuing that residents get the services they need. In fact, the Governor’s proposed budget offers incentives for towns that opt to share services.

“When Governor Corzine outlined his proposed budget, we were all taken aback. Some residents are going to be disappointed by this budget, but what everyone has to understand is, if we want to improve our financial standing, we have to make some changes in the way New Jersey appropriates funds.”