Trenton, NJ – This morning Governor Phil Murphy proclaimed that he can solve the budget stalemate in 30 minutes, and stated that “if folks have a reasonable, credible response,” he would be willing to “entertain” a different approach.  NJGOP Chairman Steinhardt accepted the Governor’s challenge and offered a Republican alternative to raising taxes and fees.

“The GOP can offer Phil Murphy a credible solution in a lot less than 30 minutes.  It starts with living within our means,” said Chairman Steinhardt. “Put taxpayers’ interests ahead of political patrons’ and special interests. Cap state spending at 2%, like the state does at the local level. Agree not to insert a new spending provision without eliminating an existing one in order to tow the budget line, and freeze new tax increases. Finally, we can save $2 billion off the bat by addressing the state’s pension crisis. We can even take these reforms right from Governor Murphy’s own, 2005 report! There are reasonable alternatives to the Governor’s tax and spend mentality, all he has to do is have the courage to reach across the aisle to find them.”