TRENTON — Democrats proved today the old political axiom that where you stand is often where you sit. After spending weeks railing against Gov. Chris Christie’s estimated savings from health benefit reform, Democrats relied on the same figure to restore cuts to social and educational programs in their own budget proposal. Christie projected $323 million in savings from his...
TRENTON — Democrats proved today the old political axiom that where you stand is often where you sit.
After spending weeks railing against Gov. Chris Christie’s estimated savings from health benefit reform, Democrats relied on the same figure to restore cuts to social and educational programs in their own budget proposal.
Christie projected $323 million in savings from his plan to overhaul public employee health benefits, a figure that Democrats considered inflated just weeks ago.
Their criticisms seem to ring true last week when the Treasury Department estimated that the final overhaul bill would only save $10 million in the fiscal year that begins Friday, creating a $300 million deficit and drawing plenty of criticism from Democrats looking to defeat the bill.
Democrats, however, are now assuming the full $323 million in savings from the health benefit plan.
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Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), chairman of the N.J. Senate budget committee, speaks as the committee meets at the Statehouse annex today.“You can’t rail against something, then use it as a political talking point,” said state Sen. Joe Pennachio (R-Morris).
State Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), one of the biggest critics of the governor’s revenue projection, defended the inclusion by saying the governor’s office and the Treasury Department haven’t backed down off their final number.
“They are expecting to save significantly from plan design changes, and they are sticking by it, and we’ll see,” said Sarlo.
The governor’s office could not be immediately reached for comment.
Related coverage:
• N.J. Democratic budget proposal restores funding to Medicaid, provides $50M to public safety fund
• Gov. Chris Christie rips Democrats' budget proposal, warns of more modest revenue projection
• N.J. budget plan could help police departments and senior citizens
