Garden State Times

Senator Anthony M. Bucco, the Senate Republican Leader, has urged the Legislature to vote on a Republican-sponsored bill, S-3076, that aims to fully restore Governor Murphy's proposed school aid cuts without burdening New Jersey taxpayers. Expressing his concerns over the alternative bill A-4161/S-3081, Sen. Bucco emphasized the need to avoid raising property taxes in a state already burdened with high taxation.

"The Legislature should refrain from supporting property tax increases when New Jersey already holds the unfortunate title of having the highest property tax burden in the nation. A-4161/S-3081 represents a flawed policy that will unfairly burden hardworking taxpayers while failing to adequately fund our schools," stated Sen. Bucco.

Highlighting the differences between the Republican and Democrat proposals, Sen. Bucco emphasized, "Our Republican plan stands in stark contrast to the Democrat alternative. S-3076 offers a responsible solution that would restore school aid cuts without raising any taxes. I urge the Legislature to prioritize the financial well-being of our residents and schools by swiftly voting on our plan."

Last week, Sen. Bucco and Senator O'Scanlon introduced S-3076 to address the proposed school aid cuts by the Murphy administration, with the support of the entire Senate Republican Caucus. However, today, lawmakers in the Assembly passed a Democrat-led alternative bill that would result in property tax increases.

In his call for action, Sen. Bucco underlined the importance of ensuring that schools have the necessary resources to provide students with a quality education. The Republican proposal, S-3076, aims to achieve this goal without raising taxes, presenting a contrasting approach to the Democrat-led alternative bill.

To access more information on the Republican proposal and the amended appropriations, interested parties can refer to the online resources provided. For further inquiries or to speak with Senator Bucco, individuals can reach out to Chris Sivel, SRO Deputy Director of Communications at [email protected].