New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA) has expressed both appreciation and concern following Governor Phil Murphy's final budget address. Dena Mottola Jaborska, Executive Director of NJCA, acknowledged the governor's efforts to prioritize funding for the Cover All Kids initiative, with $165 million allocated despite federal pressures on programs aiding undocumented immigrants.
"We appreciate Governor Murphy for focusing on Cover All Kids by increasing its funding and allocating $165 million in the Budget to it at a time when the federal administration is targeting undocumented immigrants, and threatening cuts to Medicaid and other social programs," Jaborska stated. She also noted that full funding for immigrant protection programs, pensions, schools, and women's health care services was encouraging.
Jaborska praised Governor Murphy's commitment to supporting the Attorney General’s defense against actions from the Trump administration and Elon Musk-led DOGE. "We also applaud the Governor’s insight and commitment to funding the Attorney General’s federal defense against the undemocratic and harmful actions proposed by the Trump administration and Elon Musk-led DOGE," she said.
However, NJCA raised concerns about potential impacts from proposed budget cuts. "That being said, we have a number of concerns about the budget as we understand it and we will be further reviewing the details when they come out," Jaborska remarked. The organization highlighted uncertainty regarding which programs might be affected by $2 billion in state appropriation cuts.
With potential reductions in federal expenditures affecting New Jersey's budget, NJCA advocates for fair taxation of wealthier individuals and corporations to maintain essential services. "We need to tax wealthy New Jerseyans and big corporations to invest into our low-to-middle income communities and families," Jaborska emphasized.
"This is a dangerous time for our state and its people," she concluded, urging more action from both the Legislature and Governor Murphy against adverse federal measures.
