Oroho: Murphy's budget proposal shows need for structural reforms

Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) said the massive $40 billion budget proposed by Governor Phil Murphy for FY 2021 demonstrates the critical need to advance structural reforms to lower the cost of government in New Jersey.

“Governor Murphy spending plan is 5 percent larger than last year’s and 18% higher than when he took office,” said Oroho, the Senate Republican Budget Officer. “He’s already raised taxes by billions and proposed nearly a billion more in tax increases this year. What we haven’t seen from the governor is a genuine attempt to lower the real cost drivers in government.”

Oroho served as co-chair of the Economic & Fiscal Policy Workgroup which produced a comprehensive and bipartisan plan to achieve billions in savings for the State, county, and municipal governments.

“Governor Murphy is nibbling around the edges of healthcare costs, but he’s not taking the steps needed to make real reductions that would produce savings for taxpayers,” added Oroho. “Until he starts working with the Legislature to enact bona fide structural reforms, including addressing the rising costs of public employee pension and health benefits, the burden on taxpayers will just keep growing and the out-migration from New Jersey will continue.”