NJ governor declares fiscal emergency as deficit soars

[cal04]

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61A49V20100211
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on Thursday declared a "fiscal emergency," allowing him to reserve or freeze state spending as part of his plan to tackle one of the largest 2011 deficits among U.S. states.

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In all, 375 budget lines are subject to cuts, efficiencies, and program eliminations. Cuts include $475 million in aid to school districts; $62 million in cuts to colleges, and $12 million in aid to hospitals. The cut in school-district funding will force them to use budget surpluses for the remainder of the fiscal year, Christie said.

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Democratic leaders blasted Christie's plan to balance the current budget as dictatorial and unnecessary. Louis Greenwald, Democratic chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee, called the action to reduce school aid a "reckless" move that would force school districts to raise property taxes.

"This has taken money out of the school district's pocket and put money in his pocket," Greenwald said. He accused Christie of acting without consulting the legislature, and promised to hold public hearings on the budget plan next week.


http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times/bct_news_details/article/2465/2010/february/11/christie-plans-to-cut-nj-transit-subsidy-1.html