Senator Michael Testa called on March 13 for municipal leaders across New Jersey to pass resolutions demanding that a proposed $94 million increase in municipal aid be distributed equally among all municipalities, rather than being limited to about a dozen communities as suggested by Governor Sherrill.
Testa’s appeal comes after the governor’s budget proposal included an increase in funding targeted at select municipalities. The senator argued that this approach would not benefit property taxpayers statewide and urged local officials to advocate for fairer allocation.
In his open letter, Testa wrote, “The budget proposed by Governor Sherrill yesterday includes a $94 million increase in funding for about a dozen municipalities that request special bailouts every year. Some of these municipalities—like all of the other municipalities in the State—work hard to do what is necessary to balance their budgets, and they should receive, at minimum, a modest cost-of-living adjustment in municipal aid.”
Testa continued, “However, some municipalities slated to get chunks of the proposed $94 million increase in aid face budget messes largely of their own making. Newark’s current mayor and Jersey City’s former mayor, both of whom ran for Governor last year, deliberately overspent their budgets and refused to raise their own revenue sources to pay for those excessive budgets in their run-ups for a coveted job promotion. They are now poised to be rewarded with increased aid.”
He concluded his letter by stating, “I am encouraging every mayor and council member in New Jersey to speak out for themselves and their property tax-paying constituents by passing the attached resolution, which demands that the $94 million increase in municipal aid proposed by the Governor be distributed as increases in municipal aid equally to every municipality on a per capita basis.”
Alongside his letter, Testa provided a draft resolution urging both the governor and state legislature to adopt an equitable approach when allocating municipal funds.
While Senator Anthony M. Bucco was not directly involved with this initiative from Testa, he serves as Senate Republican Leader and chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee while serving on the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee according to the official website. Bucco also represents New Jersey’s 25th Legislative District as senator according to the official website, provides constituent services through his district office and email according to the official website, engages actively in legislative work including sponsoring bills according to the official website, and has led as Senate Republican Leader according to the official website.
The debate over how best to allocate new state funding is expected to continue as lawmakers review proposals ahead of finalizing next year’s budget.