Officials brace for N.J. budget cuts

Faced with a projected deficit of $11 billion, the Governor Christie is expected to propose a significant reduction in state aid to towns and schools.

Local officials in New Jersey are concerned about the cuts Governor Christie will announce in his budget address tomorrow.
[audio:100315PGAID.mp3]
Faced with a projected deficit of $11 billion, the governor is expected to propose a significant reduction in state aid to towns and schools.

New Jersey Conference of Mayors executive director Al Licata says mayors are concerned about published reports of a possible 2.5 percent limit on municipal property tax increases.

“If we are faced with a 2.5 percent flat cap with no exceptions or tools to address rising costs that are out of their control the only option left is layoffs and layoffs come to police, fire and the people who keep the
roads plowed and maintained,” Liacata said. “There’s just no way around it.”

The mayors and local school officials are hopeful Gov. Christie will also announce some changes to unfunded state mandates as well as the binding arbitration process to help them control costs.