Republicans Again Urge Governor Corzine to Detail How He Will Cut Spending as Budget Crisis Grows

Four Republican members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee urged Governor Corzine to reopen the budget and make clear where he intends to cut spending. Their comments came after state Treasurer David Rousseau reported that revenue collections in October and November were $411 million below projections:

"The state is now engaging in deficit spending," said Deputy Republican Senate Leader Anthony Bucco. "Until the governor details what he will cut, the budget is in unconstitutional imbalance. We need to reopen the budget and discuss exactly where cuts will be made."

"This is the second month that revenues have fallen by more than $200 million. New Jersey can not operate with a budget deficit now estimated at $1.2 billion for the full fiscal year," Republican Senate Whip Kevin O'Toole said. "It's not enough for the governor to say he's taking action. The Legislature should sign off on whatever steps he is taking to deal with plummeting revenues."

"This is not the budget the Legislature approved in June," said Senator Steve Oroho, a member of the budget committee. "The conditions have changed so much that it is now time to bring the budget back to the Legislature for a complete revision. The governor simply shouldn't take it upon himself to reorder the budget without legislative review. We need to see the numbers."

"The entire state deserves to know what the governor is planning to end this deficit spending," said Senator Phil Haines, also a member of the budget committee. "The cuts he is making should be transparent and based on taxpayers' priorities, not Trenton's. They should be detailed to legislators who must answer to their constituents."

The Treasurer reported today that November's tax collections fell below the estimates in the budget by $200 million. In October, the deficit was $211 million. He estimated the total year deficit at $1.2 billion. Republicans have repeatedly urged the governor over the last year to cut back on spending and build a surplus. Now that is not possible, they are asking him to re-open the budget so that spending can be reallocated and adjusted fairly and openly.

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