Roberts Asks Treasurer for Quick Review of DeCroce/Malone Budget Plan

ROBERTS ASKS TREASURER FOR QUICK REVIEW
OF DeCROCE/MALONE BUDGET PLAN

(TRENTON) - Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. today asked state Treasurer Bradley Abelow to conduct an expedited financial review of budget changes proposed by Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce and Assembly Republican Budget Officer Joe Malone.

"Because the Assembly Budget Committee has been working on identifying cuts and efficiencies for months, it would have been more productive to have received this information sooner; nevertheless, these recommendations deserve a thorough review regarding their potential feasibility and impact on the state budget," said Roberts (D-Camden).  "No reasonable proposals should be off the table."

In a letter to Treasurer Abelow, Roberts said that a timely analysis is necessary to gauge the DeCroce/Malone proposals as final budget negotiations get underway.

-- A copy of Roberts' letter to Treasurer Abelow is attached --

June 6, 2007

The Honorable Bradley I. Abelow
Treasurer, State of New Jersey
State House, P.O. Box 002
Trenton, N.J. 08625-0002

Dear Treasurer Abelow:

Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce and Assemblyman Joe Malone today held a press conference at which they unveiled a series of proposed changes to the FY-2008 state budget.

While it is late in the budget process and the preference would have been for earlier notice of these particular changes, I believe that all possible consideration should be given to these recommendations.

I respectfully request that you review the minority's alternative proposals and evaluate whether any or all have merit and might be included in the budget before passage by the Legislature.  Please give this your immediate attention.

Sincerely,

Joseph J. Roberts, Jr.
Assembly Speaker