Sweeney Addresses Somerset County Employer Legislative Committee on Path to Progress NJ Reforms

Holds ‘Path to Progress’ Roundtable Discussion with Elected Officials From Somerset and Hunterdon Counties

SOMERSET – Continuing to advocate for the fiscal and economic reforms needed to avert future financial crises, Senate President Steve Sweeney met with the Somerset County Employer Legislative Committee today 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 Workgroup has provided us with various proposed reforms and recommendations that would make New Jersey’s economy healthy and competitive again while also providing a more efficient structure of government throughout the state,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland).  “The taxpayers deserve to have their government operating in an efficient and effective manner which is achievable by implementing the recommendations proposed in the Path to Progress report.”

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.

“The Somerset County business community was very pleased to host Senator Sweeney today at the Somerset ELC,” said Carol Bianchi, Somerset County ELC Chairperson. “The Senator discussed many of the challenges that affect how we do business in Somerset County and the state. We look forward to continue working with the Senator to help develop the strategies that were outlined today and to move New Jersey upward.”

In addition to meeting with the Somerset County ELC, Senate President Sweeney also held a roundtable discussion on the “Path to Progress” report with county and local officials from Somerset and Hunterdon Counties today.

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.