Share Your Views on State Spending

As you know, the global economic recession has had a serious impact on New Jersey . People are losing their jobs. Families are losing their homes. Everyone must do more with less.

And that's just what our state government must do as well. New Jerseyans are frustrated by wasteful spending in Trenton , which drives up taxes and diverts money from important programs that really need it.

Yesterday, the Governor proposed a series of cuts to this year's state budget, which faces a significant deficit because of declining revenue. As chairman of the Budget committee, I will ensure we will take testimony on the Governor's proposals. But whatever decisions we make about the state budget and spending cuts should not come before hearing from you, the taxpayers.

It was disappointing to see the governor unilaterally imposing these budget cuts without seeking input from the public. As your elected representative, I want to make sure your voices are heard in Trenton . If they were, the governor may not have proposed cutting nearly $500 million in state aid, which would deny money for classrooms in almost every school district in New Jersey and take property tax relief out of your pockets. We need to hear viable alternative solutions to balance our budget responsibly without burdening the hardworking taxpayers of New Jersey .

Your input is very important to me. I want to know how you think we should further reduce spending and which programs or services you believe should be cut. I would also encourage you to offer any innovative ideas or proposals, however outside-the-box they may seem. Everything is on the table. No one's opinion will be ignored. Solving our critical budget problem will take a bipartisan approach; all ideas will be considered on their merit, without regard to whether they come from a Democrat or a Republican.

Email me separately at lou@lougreenwald.com with your suggestions. Please be as specific as possible. All ideas are welcome, regardless of how big or small they may seem, and whether they come from a large organization or small household. All of us are in this together, and all of us can and should have a hand in finding workable solutions.

I look forward to your comments and ideas about cutting state spending and forging a commonsense solution to the state budget issue. Together, we can make New Jersey a more affordable place to live and work.

-Assemblyman Lou Greenwald