On Tuesday, Gov. Chris Christie unveiled his 2017 budget plan. The $301 million proposal includes increases in flat aid to municipalities, the largest contribution to the state pension system in history and does not raise the state gas tax to increase funding for transportation projects. His budget address also failed to mention Atlantic City.
The state’s Transportation Trust Fund is set to run out in June.
If state transportation funds dry up, Cape May County Engineer Dale Foster said a number of initiatives could be imperiled.
“Potentially, future federally
funded projects could be affected,” he said, explaining that the federal
government usually looks for matching funds from the state on roadwork.
Christie’s budget proposal keeps state aid to municipalities flat next year. But costs aren’t staying flat, local mayors said.
“I think every year we’re hoping
there’s more,” said Mullica Township Mayor Jim Brown, the new president
of the Atlantic County Mayors Association and a Republican. “But if it
stays flat, I feel as though most mayors are happy they didn’t lose
anything. With the economy I don’t see us getting any more.”
His own township is still working
on its 2016 budget, which he expects to introduce once new five-year
contracts with police, public works employees and office workers are
final.
Entire article at
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/locals-find-plenty-to-pick-at-in-christie-s-budget/article_3bf23810-d847-11e5-bdee-e3643bc4abed.html
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