Thanks For Turning Out For Gov. Christie's Visit to Cedar Grove; The Budget Fight Will Continue

Dear friends

I want to thank all of the local residents who turned out on Tuesday for Gov. Chris Christie’s town hall meeting at Cedar Grove High School.

The high school gym was packed, which is a tribute not just to the governor, but to the people who are concerned about their state government.

Like you and your family, me and my family pay property taxes and we want to live in an affordable state. Governor Christie is striving to make New Jersey more affordable. He is relieving some of the burden on taxpayers for public employee pension costs and forcing municipalities and school districts to cut needless spending without diminishing the quality of our public schools.

He faces tremendous opposition from entrenched powers that want to return to the days when state, county and local governments spent your money lavishly and often foolishly.

The turnout on Tuesday demonstrated to me, the governor and the other elected officials in the room that you want less costly government. That’s what Governor Christie and I are trying to deliver to you.

Over the next week, there will be a major power struggle in Trenton as the Legislature crafts the fiscal year 2013 state budget – which is due on June 30. You will hear a lot of claims and a fair amount of exaggeration from those who want to see an increase in either taxes, spending or both.

I submit to you that New Jersey can tolerate either now. Our economy is growing, but it is fragile and cannot absorb higher taxes. Our taxpayers have reached the limit of what they can afford to give to government.

I assure you I will stand with Governor Christie to fight for a responsible 2013 budget. I heard what many of you had to say on Tuesday in Cedar Grove and your words and passion will not be forgotten.

Thank you

Kevin O’Toole

State Senator

District 40