Impact of Christie’s budget on the residents of the 22nd district

Assembly Democrats drove nearly $200 million in restorations that made the horrendous plan introduced by Gov. Christie in March a better budget.

Thanks to the hard work of Assembly Democrats, the budget now includes more funding for important areas such as general assistance, education for blind children, adult medicine day care, college tuition and scholarship help and after school programs.

Yet the budget remains replete with Republican tax increases that represent an assault on the middle-class and poor and senior and disabled citizens. It also still slashes important programs such as women’s health care, adult education and public libraries.

· The improvements were driven by Assembly Democrats determined to make this budget plan the best it can possibly be for working class New Jerseyans amid unrelenting Republicans support for tax increases on everyone but millionaires.

· This unfortunately remains a tax-laden Republican budget, but thanks to our changes it is at least better than initially proposed.

· We can assure every resident that Democrats did everything possible, but as we know the Republicans wouldn’t even budge on their preference for tax cuts for 16,000 millionaires over property tax relief for more than 600,000 senior and disabled residents.

· Seemingly everything important to average New Jerseyans is being taxed by this Republican budget.

· Working poor will see their income taxes rise and lose their health insurance as millionaires get a tax cut.

· Senior and disabled citizens are losing as much as $1,300 in property tax relief as millionaires get a tax cut.

· Insurance premiums will rise, meaning health and auto insurance bills are about to become even more expensive as millionaires get a tax cut.

· Businesses are being stung by higher filing taxes and losses in tax credits that have helped create jobs and drive our economy, all while millionaires get a tax cut.

· If you have a disabled child needing early intervention, you are about to pay more as millionaires get a tax cut.

· If you live in a poor school district and want your child safe in a summer program, you will pay more as millionaires get a tax cut.

· And don’t forget the record-setting NJ Transit fare hike earlier this year that is nothing more than a tax on working New Jerseyans.

· We are saddened that important issues like women’s health care, adult education and libraries remain the victims of this budget, but we at least were able to help some of our most vulnerable residents.

· Democrats will continue to look to find ways to fund these valuable programs in the months ahead and hope to work with Republicans to make it happen.