SECOND DISTRICT TEAM OPPOSES TRENTON DEMOCRATS’ RECKLESS TAX & CUT STATE BUDGET

TRENTON – Assemblyman Don Guardian and Assemblywoman Claire Swift today voted against the proposed $58.8 billion FY26 state budget which both raises taxes and cuts lifesaving programs.

“In good conscience, we cannot vote for a budget that cuts healthcare for 100,000 state workers, slashes critical investments in Atlantic County, and caps aid to local schools facing shortfalls all while raising next year’s deficit to $3 billion,” Assemblyman Guardian said. “Claire and I will always stand firm against cuts to families’ hard-earned benefits and any dangerous, ballooning debt left to our children.”

The budget also includes a tripling of the tax on residential and commercial real estate transfers as well as a 100% increase on internet gaming. Nevertheless, even with all the additional tax increases, the budget draws down the state’s rainy-day surplus by over $1.5 billion.

“Inflation in New Jersey is through the roof and now the state wants to tax you even more if you dare to sell your home or business. It is ridiculous,” Assemblywoman Swift said. “Internet gaming and sportsbetting saved the casino industry during the pandemic, but now that our homegrown industry is returning to success, Trenton Democrats have it out for them too. Plans like higher gaming taxes and North Jersey casinos are non-starters for us.”

The 400-plus page budget and its associated tax and spending packages were released by the majority Democrats around midnight on Friday night. Along with 145 other bills on Monday’s agenda, legislators only had 72 hours to read, understand, and consider a tidal wave of legislation affecting the lives of New Jersey’s residents for years to come.

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