Amato, Rumpf & Myhre: State Budget Must Prioritize Tax Relief & Shielding Taxpayers From Cost-Of-Living Increases

March 4, 2024

Following Governor Phil Murphy’s recent state budget address, Senator Carmen Amato Jr, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblyman Greg Myhre want their constituents to know that delivering tax relief and ending wasteful spending will be their top priorities during the State Budget process.

The 9th District Delegation’s commitment to fiscal integrity is consistent with their committee assignments. Senator Amato serves on the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee while Assemblyman Rumpf serves on the Assembly Budget Committee and Assemblyman Myhre serves on the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Amato, Rumpf and Myhre issued the following statement as part of the Delegation’s ongoing constituent outreach efforts:

“Taxpayers we represent are worried about their financial security, especially when faced with the prospect of toll increases, utility rate hikes and learning that their local school district will be hard hit by chronic funding cuts by the state’s rigged school funding formula.

“Justifiably, they want Trenton’s focus to be on alleviating the state’s crushing tax burden, not finding new and creative ways to increase fees or impose taxes on businesses that will ultimately be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.

“Soaring rhetoric from the Murphy Administration does not change the standing reality that the proposed state budget does not adequately address the cost-of-living increases that so many taxpayers are alarmed about, especially seniors who have earned the right to retire without being taxed out of their homes.

“Now more than ever, it’s plain to see that taxpayers desperately want a more pragmatic approach to reform the state’s finances that include a $5 billion deficit between the current state budget and the proposed for next year. They have the expectation of fairness, in which placating special interests or providing benefits to persons in the country illegally do not come into play.”

The Delegation highlighted that the governor’s proposed budget includes several fee increases, including fees charged by the Bureau of Securities, firearm permit and license fees, and raises the HMO assessment from 5 percent to 6 percent. Making matters worse, the proposed budget fails to shield taxpayers from income tax increases from bracket creep, payroll tax hikes for unemployment, disability and family leave, gas tax increases, tolls, registration fees or property tax increases that could result from a $334 million reduction in municipal aid.