Families across New Jersey are feeling the strain. Higher grocery bills, rising healthcare costs, and pressure at the pump are all hitting at once. This is not a future challenge. It’s the monthly reality for working and middle-class families, and it must shape every decision we make in Trenton.
That is why I introduced A4447, the Live Within Our Means Act, to freeze state spending and taxes. When families tighten their budgets, government should too. This isn’t about politics. It is about discipline as costs rise from every direction.
I also want to acknowledge Governor Mikie Sherrill for putting forward a budget that recognizes both the needs of residents and the pressure they’re under. Her proposal includes $4.2 billion in property tax relief through programs like Stay NJ, critical assistance to counties to feed children and families while federal supports are cut, meets full pension obligations, and fully funds the school funding formula. These investments matter in every corner of New Jersey.
But even responsible budgets create pressure if spending grows faster than families can keep up. That pressure shows up in property taxes, in local budgets, and in the monthly squeeze people feel long after the headlines fade. That’s the challenge we have to get ahead of.
Spending will not always stay flat. But when it grows, it must be justified, targeted, and tied to long term stability. In one of the most expensive states in the country, those decisions will determine whether seniors can stay here, whether our workforce can afford to live here, and whether our communities remain sustainable.
Before serving in the General Assembly, I was Deputy Director of the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners. There I froze spending and taxes for three consecutive years by focusing on core services and making disciplined choices. It wasn’t easy, but it worked.
That experience shapes how I approach this moment, and it’s why everything has to be on the table as we move forward.
If we are serious about avoiding new taxes, we also have to be serious about generating new revenue the right way. There is increasing consensus, from the Governor’s office and colleagues in the Legislature, that new revenue must come from economic growth, not from raising taxes. That means supporting business expansion by reducing barriers, aligning workforce development with industry demand, and ensuring reliable, affordable energy to support long term growth.
We grow revenue by growing our economy, not by raising taxes. That is why I support targeted relief for families under pressure and will continue to oppose new taxes that increase their burden. It is also why every spending decision must be tied to clear priorities, measurable outcomes, and long-term stability.
New Jersey can invest in its future and remain accountable to the people who fund it. But only if we match ambition with discipline and growth with restraint.
Heather Simmons represents New Jersey’s third legislative district in the General Assembly and serves as vice president for workforce development and career and technical education at Rowan College of South Jersey.