South Jersey Programs Getting Previously Frozen Funds From State

Money that was frozen for a number of South Jersey programs over the summer is now being released by the State of New Jersey. Department of Treasury officials said this week that all the remaining $121 million has been released to fund 48 items — all of which would be useful for millions of New Jersey residents. This includes five items of interest in South Jersey.

The Murphy administration froze $235 million in spending during the summer since Gov. Phil Murphy failed to get what he's long sought for in the 2020 budget: a millionaire's tax. The Murphy administration then released $114 million in reserves in October because of better-than-expected revenues. Read more here: Money Frozen For South Jersey Programs May Soon Be Available

The Murphy administration cited the same reasons for releasing the remaining money, despite the fact that he's failed to sway the state Legislature to get behind his tax plan.

"Based on the latest revenue numbers, we currently anticipate we will be able to meet our targeted fund balance pursuant to the governor's executive order," said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. "While there is always the risk of a future downturn, we are comfortable that we can maintain this surplus level throughout the remainder of FY 2020. However, we will continue to monitor collections and savings assumptions closely for the remaining six months of the fiscal year under the parameters of the EO."

Indeed, Senate President Stephen Sweeney has sought other methods — such as raising property taxes and consolidating school districts — to bring in more revenue to New Jersey and help fund school districts that experienced sharp cuts in state funding. Read more: NJ Gov. Murphy Vetoes Raising Property Taxes To Fix School Aid

Murphy signed the 2020 budget in June after a protracted, acrimonious battle between himself and Sweeney, who vehemently opposes the millionaire's tax.

Murphy gave up the battle on the tax but continued the war with Sweeney by promising to take actions of "fiscal responsibility that were lacking in the Legislature's spending plan and set up New Jersey to better weather a possible future economic downturn."

Sweeney, in response, said the governor's freeze on items in the budget "is a shameless act of political retribution that is both petty and vindictive – it's Bridgegate on steroids that punishes those who disagree."

In July, the Department of the Treasury released the list of spending items that have been placed into reserve pursuant to Executive Order No. 73 signed by Murphy. Here are the items of interest in South Jersey that have now been released:

• South Jersey Cancer Program — Camden (Cooper) $13.950 million
• Battleship NJ Museum $500,000
• CREATE — Rowan University $2 million
• Rutgers/Rowan Joint Board RU Camden Business School $3 million
• Stockton University — General Operations $4.612 million

Read more here: NJ Gov. Phil Murphy Releases $121M For 48 Things You May Need
Read more here: South Jersey Officials Take Aim At Gov. Murphy For Spending Freeze