Brick Township Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis condemns the decision by the New Jersey Joint Budget Oversight Committee to transfer $44 million to a special municipal aid fund for distressed cities.  The New Jersey Local Finance Board is going to vote on Wednesday to award $121.5 million from the fund to Patterson, Union City, Bridgeton, Camden and Jersey City.

“To give handouts like this while the State is looking at a massive deficit is totally unconscionable,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “Decisions like this are the reason New Jersey is in the shape it is in today.”

“Instead of opening the taxpayer’s checkbook to help fund poorly managed cities, the State should be forcing them to make hard decision and cut costs,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “We did it in Brick Township and it is happening in towns throughout New Jersey.”

Over the past two years, Brick Township’s state aid has been reduced by $829,000.

“This is another example of the Democrats in Trenton giving handouts to their most loyal supporters while ignoring the rest of the State,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “Worse, they are hurting the rest of the State by slashing aid to schools and municipalities while giving tens of millions to favored cities.”

Mayor Acropolis says that the State should freeze spending until Governor-elect Chris Christie takes office.  “The Governor-elect is already looking at a budget crisis.  Every dollar the State gives away puts us one dollar deeper in the hole.  It is unfair to the next Governor and to people of New Jersey who voted for him to clean up the mess in Trenton.”

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