South Jersey Officials Take Aim At Gov Murphy For Spending Freeze

Camden County officials are once again firing back at Gov. Phil Murphy. This time, it comes in response to a freeze in spending officials say will negatively impact South Jersey’s institutions.

In a possible move of retribution, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy froze $235 million in spending statewide this week after he failed to get what he's long sought for in the 2020 budget: a millionaire's tax.

“Governor Murphy’s decision to freeze millions of dollars in needed support to South Jersey institutions will hurt our residents, our region, and our economy,” Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said. “This decision makes clear that the administration’s priorities are aimed at political retribution and showmanship, not at finding ways to improve the lives of South Jersey residents.”

Below is the list of items in South Jersey that could permanently lose funding, a move that will impact a number of towns, colleges and roads:

• South Jersey Cancer Program — Camden (Cooper) $15.4 million
• Battleship NJ Museum $1 million
• Cooper Medical School of Rowan University $7 million
• CREATE — Rowan University $2 million
• Rowan/Cooper Medical School Operations Support $5 million
• Rutgers University — Camden-Mental Health and Well Being $170,000
• Rutgers/Rowan Joint Board RU Camden Business School $3 million
• Stockton University — General Operations $4.612 million

In addition, Murphy authorized spending freezes statewide that can impact South Jersey institutions. Read more here: NJ Gov Phil Murphy Just Pulled $235M From 64 Things You May Need

“Freezing spending for cancer programs, institutions of higher education, and support for economically challenged areas flies in the face of the governor’s own stated priorities: health care, access to higher education, and generating economic prosperity,” Cappelli said. “When the governor stops holding South Jersey hostage in his political disputes, maybe then we can progress to a fairer, stronger New Jersey.”

Murphy signed the 2020 budget last week after a protracted, acrimonious battle between himself and Senate President Stephen Sweeney, who vehemently opposed 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."

"We must be honest about its shortfalls: This is a budget that does not include tax fairness, does not ask opioid manufacturers to help fund addiction services, and does not raise gun fees that have been untouched since 1966," he said. "These common-sense revenues would have allowed us to save for a rainy day and sustainably fund necessary investments for New Jersey's 9 million residents. Make no mistake, I will continue fighting for tax fairness and fiscal responsibility well beyond (the) budget actions."

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."

"This is an abuse of gubernatorial power that victimizes some of the neediest and most vulnerable people in New Jersey, including cancer patients, the hungry, senior citizens, college students and those struggling to overcome substance abuse problems," he said.

The Department of the Treasury released the list last week of spending items that have been placed into reserve pursuant to Executive Order No. 73 signed by Murphy.

"As directed by the Governor, we have compiled a list of appropriation items that have been placed in reserve until further notice," said David Ridolfino, acting director of Treasury's Office of Management and Budget. "As noted in the Executive Order, the items placed in reserve will help the state maintain the surplus goals outlined by the governor. Our review, pursuant to Executive Order 73, is ongoing and will continue as new or additional information regarding individual items of appropriation is available."

Officials in South Jersey have said Murphy is unfairly targeting South Jersey institutions as it relates to the tax incentive program, as well. A report released by the governor’s task force to explore New Jersey’s tax incentive program concluded a lack of scrutiny by the Economic Development Authority (EDA) cost the state hundreds of millions in tax incentives — all to possibly benefit businesses connected to South Jersey power broker George Norcross.

Read more here: Report Says Program Provided Big Benefits To NJ Political Boss

Murphy put this task force together following a report from the State Comptroller that warned of a severe lack of monitoring and oversight over past awards — as well as thousands of promised jobs that couldn't be substantiated.

Democrats in Camden County said Murphy and the task force are relentlessly attacking businesses in Camden County, and called Murphy "hypocritical" following a report that shows Murphy lobbied in favor of tax credits for Goldman Sachs back in 2003.

Read more here: Troubles Surrounding NJ's 'Most Poweful Unelected' Man?