Release: Statement from Better Choices for New Jersey on failure of veto override

For Immediate Release: June 21, 2010

NEWARK, NJ – Following Monday’s vote by the Assembly which failed to override Governor Christie’s veto of the millionaires tax by a vote of 47-33, Better Choices for New Jersey spokesperson Bill Holland issued the following statement:

“That the Assembly was unable to manage a two-thirds majority to override Governor Christie’s veto of the millionaires’ tax despite overwhelming public support for the measure shows just how out of touch the Governor and his allies are with the working families of this state. We praise those legislators who voted for the override and believe it was an important step in the fight to protect vital services and pass a budget of real shared sacrifice.

Unfortunately, Governor Christie’s budget as currently proposed relies almost entirely on cost shifting and dangerous cuts to our schools, transit, health care, parks, and libraries. In the middle of a recession and a terrible job market it cuts after-school programs that help parents keep their jobs and the training programs that help young adults find work. It raises transit fares, tuition rates, fees, and income taxes for working families around the state and effectively cuts taxes for New Jersey’s wealthiest residents.

Now, New Jersey’s legislators need to fill the gap in leadership left by Governor Christie and put a stop to this cruel and misguided budget by voting it down when it comes to the floor for a vote. The working families of New Jersey deserve a budget that protects their communities instead of the pocketbooks of the wealthy. We urge the legislature to continue the fight and defeat the Governor’s brutal budget.”

Better Choices for New Jersey represents over seventy organizations including the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, New Jersey Policy Perspective, New Jersey Tenants Organization, Statewide Education Organizing Committee, and the Hispanic Directors Association, and is calling for increased investment in critical public services and long-term solutions to New Jersey’s fiscal troubles. Some of its revenue proposals were adopted in the budget for FY 2010.