TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer and a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, made the following statement today after Governor Corzine’s annual budget address:
“It’s clear that we need to take drastic action to right the State’s financial ship. At the same time, we need to make sure that these cuts target waste and excess and not New Jersey’s working families.
“The Governor’s plan to cut 5000 state workers on the surface raises some significant concerns. To balance the budget on the backs of these working families is not only unfair, it hurts those people who our budget should be looking to help most.
“I am encouraged by the Governor’s pledge to make the reduction of the state debt a priority. New Jersey will never be able to pass a budget that will fully meet the needs of all New Jersey residents unless we stop the borrowing and pay down our debt.
“Clearly this budget will require a great deal of scrutiny by the Legislature and that the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will need to carefully consider all of the State’s needs as we put together a final budget bill.”