Transparency Is Important And Needed With The People’s Money

July 6^th, 2023 (Rochelle Park) – Anyone who works in and around Trenton knows that every June can be challenging in terms of finalizing a State budget.  The process starts in February or March when the Governor delivers his budget address, and then the process begins with the Legislature holding public hearings and taking testimony from each agency head, including the Treasurer, before drafting a final budget for consideration.  The deadline for our State budget is July 1st each year.  We appreciate that when you are deciding on how to spend a record $54.3 billion, details can be complicated, but that is precisely why the process should be more open and transparent.  Details of this year’s budget were not made public until the last day of the fiscal year, June 30^th, right before a major holiday weekend so there was little to no scrutiny and there was no deliberative process.  The public should hear why certain programs were funded and why others were not.  After all, it is their money which is being voted on and hence all stakeholders should be allowed to weigh in before any votes are cast or at least be given the option of doing so.  That has been our process for years and we should make sure this process continues.  We can appreciate that at the end of the day, we elect our legislators to cast their votes but they need to have all the information and they need to hear from their constituents and the public on what they like or dislike in a State budget before a vote is cast. An open and transparent government is good government and it will reassure the public and the taxpayers that our system is working.  The business community is integral to the economic health and stability of the state. We have always tried to be a partner and collaborate with the state government. Many of our members were upset by the abrupt finalizing of the budget this year.  We hope this year’s process was an anomaly and that we can return to a process where the budget details are released days in advance of the deadline.

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About CIANJ:

The mission of CIANJ is to be the leader in free enterprise advocacy for the purpose of fostering, through education, legislative vigilance, and membership interaction, an economic climate that enhances business potential and makes New Jersey a better state in which to live, work, and conduct business. Over time, CIANJ has learned how the real value of a business association is found in the relationships built and the resources shared. CIANJ’s forums and business councils are arenas that bring together the brightest minds across professional disciplines in the key areas that affect every business in the state. From finance and healthcare to human resources and the environment, there is always something to learn – or something to share — in our association.