Assembly Budget Committee Announces Dates for Virtual Public Hearings on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2022 State Budget

(TRENTON) – Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin, chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, announced two public hearings on Governor Phil Murphy’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2022.

The public hearings to begin the Legislature’s work on the State spending plan will be held in the Assembly at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 10 and at 9:30 a.m., Monday, March 22. Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the hearings will be conducted remotely without the possibility of in-person attendance.

“Public hearings are a critical and effective component of the budget process, and they are our way of hearing directly from those who are impacted by the State Budget,” said Assemblywoman Pintor Marin (D-Essex). “For the first time in State history, in order to hear directly from as many residents as possible, the public budget hearings will be done entirely through video and phone. This will provide an opportunity for as many advocates as possible to safely have their voices heard.”

“This is our opportunity as legislators to gain insight into the state’s economy and residents’ concerns as we discuss and determine the State’s Budget for the next fiscal year. Input from all stakeholders is important, but to hear directly from New Jersey citizens who work here, raise their families here, own businesses and rely on critical government services is invaluable.”

The Assembly Budget Committee’s hearings on individual departments of State government and the presentations of State revenues and economic conditions by the Office of Legislative Services and the New Jersey Treasurer will be scheduled for after the public hearings, Assemblywoman Pintor Marin said. 

The Committee will take oral testimony, by telephone and video, limited to three minutes. Persons wishing to testify can register online at www.njleg.state.nj.us and click BUDGET PUBLIC HEARINGS: Online Registration. Registrations must be received by 3:00 PM the day before the hearing and you or your organization will be permitted to testify at one Assembly public hearing only.

The public may view the hearings via the Legislature’s home page at https://www.njleg.state.nj.us.