Garden State Times

Highlighting heavy taxation and excessive spending levels, Senator Carmen Amato, Jr., Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblyman Gregory Myhre all voted against the Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget. The 9th District Legislators provided remarks regarding their actions on the state budget, which was signed into law by Governor Murphy on June 28 following its passage by the State Legislature.

"Raising state government spending to nearly $57 billion places too harsh a tax burden on ordinary citizens, including those living on fixed and retirement incomes. It was already evident that our communities are hurting, and our businesses are hurting. This budget will also worsen an unacceptable situation with the inevitable outcome that taxpayers and consumers will be paying more."

"Too many of our constituents believe they are losing ground financially. This is not only due to persistent inflation occurring on a national level but also as a direct result of failed state policies that provide insufficient tax relief especially when considering the state budget has a surplus of $6 billion."

"The drastic school aid cuts imposed on targeted school districts are indefensible. This is compounded by a sharp cut in municipal aid which can only further strain local governments responsible for providing crucial services and lead to higher property taxes. For these and other compelling reasons, each member of our delegation supported floor motions to restore critical funding, including for negatively impacted school districts."

"Yes, the state budget has many positive aspects which include funding for services and programs established to assist seniors, persons with developmental disabilities, and veterans. Also, it was a small but important victory to eliminate firearm permit fee increases originally proposed in the state budget. The Second Amendment should not be used as an instrument to generate tax revenue."

"Each member of our delegation pledged to our constituents that we would be advocates of bringing fiscal sanity to Trenton. In the end, the heavy taxation and excessive spending levels which dominate this state budget made it completely unsupportable."

Senator Amato serves on the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. Assemblyman Rumpf serves on the Assembly Budget Committee and Assemblyman Myhre serves on the Assembly Appropriations Committee.