SARLO:
‘DEVASTATED’ BERGEN COUNTY PERFECT HOST
FOR
BUDGET COMMITTEE’S FIRST PUBLIC HEARING
Senate Panel
To Open Review Process Tuesday
At Bergen
Community College in Paramus
TRENTON –
Senate Budget
and Appropriations Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen)
today said that while the committee chose Bergen Community
College to host its first public hearing prior to Governor
Christie’s Tuesday budget address, the selection was made even
more appropriate given the county’s dire prospects under the
proposed plan.
The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee is scheduled to
hold its public hearing 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 23, in the Moses
Training Room, Bergen Community College, 400 Paramus Road,
Paramus.
“If this
budget were to be implemented right now, Bergen County would be
left utterly devastated,” said Sarlo. “I certainly understand
and appreciate the immense fiscal constraints facing the state,
but this budget would lead to huge class sizes in our schools as
a result of teacher layoffs, fewer local services for residents
and higher property taxes for everyone. Everyone has a stake in
this budget, and their concerns must be heard.”
Sarlo noted
that Bergen County’s schools will experience an average state
aid loss of 41 percent, with 27 districts having their aid
eliminated entirely. Most municipalities across the county would
lose in excess of 20 percent of their aid -- a more than $20
million loss to Bergen County taxpayers.
The Senator
also noted that while no mention was made in the budget address,
budget documents disclosed the Governor’s intention to overturn
Bergen County’s Blue Law. That proposal already has drawn
bipartisan opposition from local officials across the county.
“The budget is
a document that has a direct impact on New Jersey’s quality of
life,” said Sarlo. “As we begin taking stock of what this budget
will mean for the state, it makes perfect sense to start in the
county that’s on the hook to sacrifice way more than its share.”
Sarlo said the
panel will spend its entire day, if necessary, to ensure all
residents have the opportunity to be heard.
