WNYC

Bob Hennelly
Wednesday, December 23, 2009

A coalition of 40 New Jersey labor, education, and health-care groups is blasting Gov. Jon Corzine's plan to cut nearly $1 billion to close a budget gap.

In a statement, Gov. Corzine says the economic crisis and the fall-off of state tax revenues left his administration no choice but to make the cuts.

Eva Bonime is with Better Choices for New Jersey. She says the 40 coalition groups are particularly concerned the income tax surcharge on the state's top earners will sunset at the end of this year.

Giving the rich a tax cut really makes no sense," she says. "You know it is a recession. Average New Jerseyans are being asked to sacrifice. Everyone has to tighten their belts and yet the wealthiest New Jerseyans are actually going to get a tax break.

In addition to the current year's $1 billion budget gap, the state faces an $8 billion shortfall next year. Gov.-elect Chris Christie has warned the state must make major spending cuts in order to be able to make payroll in March.

Originally available at: http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/147031