TRENTON, N.J. – Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick announced today that Assemblyman John DiMaio will serve as the Republican budget officer, and Assemblyman Jay Webber as appropriations officer. Both say their goal is to make the state more affordable and eliminating wasted spending.

“I look forward to tackling the new budget. The new administration has laid out unaffordable spending plans and misguided tax increases while New Jersey is in a precarious fiscal position that necessitates serious reform,” said DiMaio (R-Warren). “I will continue to scrutinize waste and advocate for small government and lower taxes. We must enact the recommended pension reforms and draft a fair funding formula that has clearly failed despite record funding, because ultimately the most important thing is making sure the state remains affordable for all New Jerseyans.”

DiMaio was the Republican appropriations officer from 2012 through 2017, and has been the owner and operator of a family-owned contracting business for more than forty years. He has worked on public budgets throughout his career. During nine years as mayor of Hackettstown, he balanced the municipal budget while turning a surplus without raising property taxes. After DiMaio became a Warren freeholder, the county balanced its budget and lowered property taxes by increasing capital investments to help pay-down debt.

The budget and appropriations officers are the two positions in the Republican leadership that specifically relate to substantive policy in committees. The appropriations committee is where much of the Assembly’s most significant policy proposals move through.

“I value the opportunity to serve as appropriations officer,” said Webber (R-Morris). “For years, New Jersey has had a spending problem, not a revenue problem. That overspending has made our state the most unaffordable in the nation and causes real financial pain for New Jersey families. I will lead on the committee and advocate for all New Jerseyans who get up every day, do the right things, and ask only for their government to stop making it so hard for them to make ends meet.”

“These top budget leaders represent a vast array of experience and knowledge,” said Bramnick (R-Union). “We are fortunate to have two talented representatives who will fight to make New Jersey more affordable and curb irresponsible spending.”