NJGOP blasts Sherrill, Democrats — plus Bob Singer and Sean Kean — over $60.7 billion budget

The New Jersey Republican Party blasted Governor Mikie Sherrill and Democratic legislative leaders for approving a $60.7 billion state budget through what it called a secretive, last-minute process that denied lawmakers and the public adequate time to review the spending plan.

In a statement released this morning, NJGOP Chair Christine Giordano Hanlon criticized Democrats for releasing the budget less than two hours before a Sunday meeting of the Senate and Assembly budget committees, where lawmakers advanced hundreds of pages of spending legislation.

“The Governor promised a new era of leadership, but New Jersey got the same secretive, backroom budgeting that has become Trenton’s trademark,” Hanlon said. “When the largest budget in state history was unveiled just moments before an 11 PM committee vote on a Sunday night, it’s clear the goal wasn’t transparency. It was preventing public scrutiny.”

Hanlon said Republicans objected to the accelerated process and offered amendments to reduce spending, restore programs, and revise school funding, but said those proposals were rejected by the Democratic majority.

The GOP also criticized the size of the spending plan, noting that New Jersey’s budget exceeds those of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, and North Carolina despite each of those states having larger populations. The party said New Jersey’s per-capita state spending will be approximately $6,357.

“Families across New Jersey are struggling with skyrocketing property taxes, utility bills, tolls, insurance costs, and the highest cost of living in the region,” Hanlon said. “Instead of exercising fiscal discipline, the Governor and Trenton Democrats responded by passing the largest budget in New Jersey history.”

Hanlon also took issue with a supplemental appropriations bill totaling nearly $359 million that she described as containing last-minute earmarks.

“The people of New Jersey deserve a budget process that is transparent, accountable, and focused on delivering results. Not one that relies on late-night votes, hidden spending, and record-breaking budgets that families simply cannot afford,” Hanlon concluded. “While Democrats congratulate themselves on breaking spending records, Republicans will keep fighting to lower costs, cut waste, and make New Jersey a state where families can actually afford to live.”

Two Republicans who represent parts of Ocean and Monmouth Counties, State Sen. Robert Singer (R-Lakewood) and Assemblyman Sean Kean (R-Wall), voted with the Democrats to approve the budget.