Mikie sherrill's $60b new jersey budget under fire over dei, migrant legal aid, progressive policies, and green energy spending

Critics of Assembly Bill A5327 say millions in taxpayer dollars are being directed toward diversity initiatives, immigration legal services and clean energy programs while residents continue to face some of the nation’s highest property taxes.

Trenton, NJ – New Jersey’s proposed $60 billion-plus state budget is drawing criticism from fiscal conservatives and Republican lawmakers who argue the spending plan prioritizes progressive policy initiatives over tax relief for residents.

Assembly Bill A5327, which Gov. Mikie Sherrill has praised as a fiscally responsible budget focused on affordability, includes funding for clean energy projects, diversity and inclusion programs, reproductive health services, and legal assistance for immigrants facing detention or deportation. Opponents contend those appropriations come as homeowners continue to struggle with high property taxes.

DEI and diversity funding under scrutiny

Among the items highlighted by critics is $850,000 for the state’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and approximately $1.24 million for the Chief Diversity Officer position.

The budget also includes $1.6 million for the New Jersey Builders Utilization Initiative for Labor Diversity, approximately $1.5 million for the Office of Minority and Multicultural Health, funding for diversity training within the Department of Corrections, and support for the state’s Perinatal Health Equity Initiative.

Critics argue the spending reflects continued investment in DEI initiatives at a time when the federal government and several states have moved to reduce or eliminate similar programs.

Budget Breakdown

Here is a summary of some of the budget items that have drawn criticism from opponents of Assembly Bill A5327:

$23.829 million — Wind Port Project (EDA lease revenue bonds for offshore wind infrastructure)
$15 million — Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (Clean Energy Fund)
$1 million — New Dawn Central Jersey CDC Solar, EV Charging and Battery Storage Project
More than $140 million — Clean Energy Fund transfers supporting NJ Transit utility costs, bus electrification and related projects
$1.25 million — Sustainable New Jersey Fund
$500,000 — Climate Change Education Grants to Schools
$500,000 — New Jersey Wave and Tidal Energy Feasibility Pilot Program

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

$850,000 — Office of State Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
$1.237 million — Chief Diversity Officer
$1.6 million — New Jersey Builders Utilization Initiative for Labor Diversity
$1.517 million — Office of Minority and Multicultural Health
$1.06 million — Diversity Training (Department of Corrections)
$50,000 — Perinatal Health Equity Initiative / New Jersey Black Maternal Health Task Force

Immigration

$20.2 million — Legal services for individuals at risk of immigration detention or deportation
$5.85 million — KIND legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children and youth
$1 million — Office of New Americans

Gender and Reproductive Health

$22 million — Reproductive Health Access Fund (facilities, workforce, outreach and related programs)
$2.9 million — Menstrual Products School Reimbursement Program
Up to $72,000 — Council on Gender Parity

Other Items Frequently Criticized

Additional appropriations as needed for federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) matching funds.
Reappropriation of unspent balances from the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Program.

Immigration legal services remain a flashpoint

The budget appropriates approximately $20.2 million for legal services assisting individuals at risk of immigration detention or deportation. It also includes nearly $5.9 million for legal services benefiting unaccompanied immigrant children and youth, along with $1 million for the Office of New Americans.

Supporters of the funding have said the programs ensure eligible individuals receive legal representation in immigration proceedings. Opponents argue taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund legal assistance for individuals without lawful immigration status.

Green energy projects receive significant investment

The proposal continues New Jersey’s investment in clean energy and electrification programs.

Funding includes approximately $23.8 million for the Wind Port Project through Economic Development Authority lease revenue bonds, $15 million for electric vehicle infrastructure through the Clean Energy Fund, and $1 million for a solar, EV charging and battery storage project awarded to New Dawn Central Jersey Community Development Corporation.

Additional appropriations include more than $140 million from the Clean Energy Fund for New Jersey Transit utility costs, bus electrification and related clean energy projects, along with funding for wave and tidal energy research, climate change education grants and the Sustainable New Jersey Fund.

Additional appropriations draw criticism

Other spending items cited by opponents include $2.9 million for the Menstrual Products School Reimbursement Program, which reimburses school districts for providing menstrual products under state law, and $22 million for the Reproductive Health Access Fund, which supports reproductive health facilities, workforce development and related services.

Continue Reading

His smile wins hearts but Haze is still waiting for someone to choose him

Playful 2-year-old shelter dog is ready for a forever home JACKSON, N.J. — Haze has the playful personality,…

After his best friend was adopted shelter pup was left behind

Affectionate 7-year-old dog hopes for a family of his own JACKSON, N.J. — Hikaru watched his kennel mate…

Mount Rainier Delays Removal of Historic Elm Tree After Residents Object

Mount Rainier, MD - The City of Mount Rainier has postponed plans to remove a large elm tree…

Gov. Sherrill has defended the overall budget, saying it is designed to make state government more transparent through an updated online Budget Report Card while investing in programs intended to improve affordability and public services.

The Legislature is expected to complete final action on Assembly Bill A5327 before sending the budget to the governor for signature.

Key Points

Assembly Bill A5327 includes more than $60 billion in proposed state spending across a range of programs.
Critics are targeting funding for DEI initiatives, immigration-related legal services, reproductive health programs and clean energy investments.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill has described the proposal as a fiscally responsible budget and says residents can review spending through the state’s updated Budget Report Card.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.