Oroho Asks Why Governor Corzine Hasn't Called an Emergency Session

Senator Steven Oroho, a Republican member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, says he doesn't understand why Governor Jon Corzine has not called the Legislature into emergency session to deal with the fiscal 2009 budget emergency.

"Every day, the news is filled with reports of a growing crisis," Senator Oroho said. "It seems as if no one in the administration has a clear plan for dealing with the problem. The longer we put off tough decisions, the harder they will become. I urge Governor Corzine to demonstrate leadership and call the Legislature into emergency session immediately to help attack the problem head-on.

"In addition, the governor must order the Treasurer to release daily updates on the state's fiscal condition for the public. We need to hear the worst case-scenario from the treasurer, not projections based on the rosiest possible scenario. In the business world, experienced leaders prepare for the worst and then manage their companies to achieve the best. In state government, we have gotten into a mess by failing to prepare for obvious risks, then hoping for the best.

"Our state is now operating with a deficit of at least $500 million. Incredibly, with less than eight weeks left in the fiscal year, the governor hasn't provided details of how he plans to eliminate this unconstitutional deficit," Oroho said. "Next year's expected shortfall has ballooned by more than $2 billion. Yet the governor hasn't said how he plans to deal with the growing problem. It's time for leadership and action. The governor should call an emergency session on the state budget today."

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