Garden State Times

Senator Michael Testa has expressed that Governor Murphy's recent directive for a 5% reduction in departmental spending should not come as a surprise. The Republican senator pointed out that his party has consistently warned about New Jersey's impending fiscal challenges.

"Governor Murphy didn’t need a crystal ball to recognize that dire straits were on New Jersey’s horizon – he simply could have listened to my Republican colleagues and I in the Legislature," stated Sen. Testa. He criticized the Democrats' spending habits over the past seven years, suggesting their approach has led to the current financial predicament. "While our proposals for moderate spending restraints were ignored, Democrats in Trenton went on a seven-year-long spending binge only now to act surprised that their tax and spend ideology led us right toward the fiscal cliff we warned about."

Testa further commented on potential solutions, emphasizing Republican cost-saving measures. "If Governor Murphy truly wants to fix the mess he’s created, he would embrace Republican cost-saving proposals — but we’d probably have a better chance of convincing Hannibal Lecter to give up meat for Lent."

For those wishing to speak with Senator Testa, Chris Sivel, SRO Deputy Director of Communications, can be contacted at [email protected].