Garden State Times

Senator Latham Tiver has reached out to Governor Murphy, urging the restoration of formula-based aid for municipalities in the upcoming fiscal year 2026 budget. This aid was previously removed from the fiscal year 2025 state budget.

In his letter to the governor, Senator Tiver highlighted the financial impact on local communities due to a $150 million reduction in aid. He noted specific losses within his legislative district, mentioning that Evesham Township faces a shortfall of $330,165 while Pemberton Township will lose $311,988. These reductions are expected to affect municipal budgets being finalized by local governing bodies in the coming months and could lead to increased property taxes or reduced services if not addressed.

Senator Tiver expressed concern about the broader implications of these cuts. "The cut to a fair formula property tax relief program will hit municipalities and property taxpayers hard after years of high inflation," he stated. He also pointed out that communities enrolled in a State-run health insurance plan would be particularly affected due to a recent 16% increase in premiums.

For those interested in further details, Senator Tiver's full letter is available online. Inquiries can be directed to Jennifer Collins, SRO Associate Director of Digital Communications.