NJ Protesters Rally In Newark Against Potential State Budget Cuts

NEWARK, NJ — It’s not time for cost-cutting – it’s time for courage, activists say.

A group of community leaders rallied Wednesday outside the New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee’s public meeting in Newark, demanding that the state’s wealthiest corporations and residents “pay their fair share” in the fiscal year 2026 state budget.

Advocates also protested against potential cuts that they say may be coming for essential support programs, community colleges, public hospitals and legal services.

Watch video footage from the demonstration here.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was among those pushing for a more progressive tax code.

“If we aren't talking about our tax policy, then we aren't really talking about working people in New Jersey,” Baraka said. “We aren't talking about affordability, and we definitely aren’t talking about building a fairer economy.”

“Tax justice means making sure the wealthiest pay their fair share so our communities can support everyone,” he continued. “It means investing in public schools, affordable housing, and reliable infrastructure — not handing out tax breaks to the ultra-rich.”

“A just tax system is how we create real opportunity for everyone, not just the few at the top,” Baraka added.

Organizers said they were gathering in Newark to “stand up for working families and protect essential services” as lawmakers move towards a June 30 deadline.

According to For the Many, a statewide coalition of more than 40 local advocacy groups, some of their demands include:

• “Reverse cuts to programs and services at New Jersey’s 18 community colleges, its only public hospital, and public legal services”
• “Support raised revenues on wealthy individuals and big corporations to fund expanded affordability measures for working-class families”
• “Protect and grow the surplus to limit damage from federal dysfunction and the deep funding cuts proposed by the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress”

“This is not the time for austerity – it’s a time for courage,” urged Nicole Rodriguez, president of nonprofit advocacy group New Jersey Policy Perspective.

“We need to make the wealthy pay their fair share,” Rodriguez said.

Other participating groups included New Jersey Citizen Action, Make the Road New Jersey, New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, Climate Revolution Action Network, Fair Share Housing Center, Health Professional Allied Employees.

Gov. Phil Murphy delivered his final budget proposal last month. His address came amid news that the state is facing a $3.7 billion budget hole, though the actual deficit will be closer to $1.2 billion. Murphy said this year's budget incorporated nearly $2 billion in reductions, including scaling back some programs.

Murphy also warned state departments to prepare for cuts back in November, saying in an interview that he wanted to “pull our belt in, trim our sails, and make sure that we're no longer spending more than we're taking in.” Read More: More Taxes, Big Spending: 5 Takeaways From Murphy’s Final Budget

Meanwhile, state Republican lawmakers have been panning the governor’s spending plan, criticizing additional taxes and alleging it’s full of “pork” that can be trimmed to lower spending levels. Read More: Republicans Criticize Proposed NJ Budget: ‘Anything But Affordable’

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