Governor Sherrill Does Budget Endzone Dance, Addresses Jersey City Supplemental

TRENTON - Governor Mikie Sherrill tonight celebrated the Legislature's passage of a record-busting New Jersey high $60.7 Billion FY2027 Budget.

The Governor called it an "affordability budget."

She'll sign it imminently, before midnight.

"This budget is for you," she told the people of New Jersey. "This budget puts affordability first. We've put together the most property tax relief in history."

The budget protects the Affordability Trust Fund and expands money for veterans, the Governor said, and invests in SNAP and Medicaid.

"This is also an opportunity budget," she added. "New Jersey always finds a way or makes one."

The budget expands opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses. "This budget makes record investments in education and expands evidence-based programs," Sherrill said.

Other talking points:

The most fiscally responsible budget passed in decades. Fully funds pensions. Doesn't raise taxes on individual New Jerseyans. Cuts structural deficit in half.

"We're going to keep working together to improve accountability," Sherrill said.

She took a jab at President Donald Trump:

"As the president accepts planes and cryptocurrency from foreign governments... as he causes higher inflation month after month with a war he can't get out of - we're going to fight to make your kids' future brighter."

As for the controversial supplemental, which includes an over $100 million "loan" to Jersey City: "In Jersey City, Steve Fulop [the former mayor] had left that city $250 million in debt," said the Governor.

Senate President Nick Scutari (D-22) added his thanks to the Governor for leading the lawmakers, and Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19) and other legislation leaders.

"We crafted an outstanding balanced budget," said Scutari. "We'll get better and better."

Coughlin added, "I want to thank the Governor for her leadership. Budgets are tricky things. ...The truth is it is about being committed and working hard for the people of New Jersey."

The budget, said Coughlin, focuses on kitchen table issues, including StayNJ.

"I'm particularly pleased where we ended up on Stay," said the Speaker. "It's something senior citizens really care about."

Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell, Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, and budget chairs Senator Paul Sarlo and Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin joined the Governor, Senate President and Speaker for the evening budget finish line.

"This budget helps stabilize [the damage done by Trump at the federal level]," said Greenwald.

Democratic Party Leadership.

 

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