Sweeney Addresses Gloucester County Mayors’ Association on Path to Progress NJ Reforms

Participates In Multiple Forums on ‘Path to Progress’

Deptford – Continuing to advocate for the fiscal and economic reforms needed to avert future financial crises, Senate President Steve Sweeney met with the Gloucester County Mayors’ Association yesterday at their monthly meeting to promote the recommendations of the Economic and Fiscal Policy Workgroup, the blue ribbon panel that has proposed a range of cost-saving reforms.

Senator Sweeney spoke about how the “Path to Progress” report issued by the 25-member study group provides a working blueprint to achieve the operational and structural reforms needed to restore financial stability and affordable government.

“The reforms and recommendations proposed by the Workgroup would breathe new life into the New Jersey economy and greatly benefit the efficiency and the effectiveness in which government entities operate,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland).  “A more efficient and effective government promotes a healthy economy that provides savings to taxpayers while strengthening the state.

The discussion included proposals to address soaring pension and benefit costs, hold down property taxes, make government and school districts more efficient, assess the efficiency of our tax structure and leverage state assets. The forum offers the opportunity for those hearing the recommendations to provide input, which is one of the primary goals of the meetings Senator Sweeney and other members of the study group have had with groups across the state.

“A discussion on promoting economic growth is always one worth having and it was great to hear and discuss the proposed fiscal and economic reforms that Path to Progress NJ offers,” said Deptford Mayor Paul Medany.  “Having the opportunity for Senator Sweeney sit-down to speak with us on the proposed reforms was welcoming and for him to hear our feedback in an open discussion on ways to benefit our taxpayers and the state was very constructive.”

In addition to meeting with officials from Gloucester County, Senate President Sweeney also held roundtable discussions on the “Path to Progress” report with county and local officials from Bergen, Sussex and Warren Counties yesterday

The Economic and Fiscal Policy Workgroup held its initial organizational meeting on January 30, 2018. Over the course of six months, the Workgroup held meetings that included presentations by policy experts on critical issues and robust discussion of the pros and cons of potential solutions. The Workgroup issued its report and recommendations on August 9, 2018.