TRENTON, NJ - APRIL 5, 2018: New Jersey state capitol building in Trenton

Gop senator blasts budget secrecy as new jersey lawmakers near budget vote deadline — TRENTON, NJ - APRIL 5, 2018: New Jersey state capitol building in Trenton

Sen. Declan O’Scanlon accused Democratic leaders of withholding details of the state budget until the final hours before a scheduled vote, arguing the process lacks transparency.

Trenton, NJ – Republican State Sen. Declan O’Scanlon criticized New Jersey’s budget process Monday, saying lawmakers, the public and the media had not been given enough time to review the proposed spending plan before a vote scheduled just hours before the constitutional deadline.

In a post on X, O’Scanlon said promises of greater transparency and affordability made during the campaign had not been fulfilled, arguing that legislators had yet to receive the full budget with only hours remaining before a vote.

Republican senator criticizes budget process

“Things were supposed to ‘be different this time,'” O’Scanlon wrote, adding that “transparency” and “affordability” had been frequent campaign promises.

“We are 7 hours away from the deadline for a vote on the budget. We’ve seen nothing,” he said. “And we’d get the document well in advance of anyone having to vote on it. So legislators, the press & voters could actually have time to read it, understand it and weigh in on a fully informed basis.”

O’Scanlon argued that the proposed budget would not provide relief for school funding concerns and alleged it includes tax increases that would ultimately be passed on to consumers through higher prices.

Budget debate continues

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The Republican senator also contended that alternative budget proposals offered by GOP lawmakers and business organizations had been ignored during negotiations.

“There will be no fix or even temporary relief to schools…and the taxpayers that fund them,” O’Scanlon wrote. “This isn’t an affordability budget. It’s the same old thing that led us to being the highest taxed, most expensive state to live in.”

Democratic legislative leaders and Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration had not publicly responded to O’Scanlon’s comments at the time of publication. New Jersey’s budget must be approved before the start of the new fiscal year to avoid a government shutdown.

Key Points

Sen. Declan O’Scanlon criticized the timing and transparency of New Jersey’s budget process.
He said lawmakers had not received the full budget with only hours remaining before a scheduled vote.
O’Scanlon also argued the budget would increase taxes and fail to address school funding concerns.

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