UNION CITY — State Sen. and Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack today urged statewide support for Gov. Christie’s “toolkit,” the 33-bill reform package presented to the Legislature May 10.
Christie is now pushing for lawmakers to act on his reform package and for voters to lobby the state officials to pass it.
Gov. Christie’s “toolkit” proposes a 2.5 percent cap on the increase of property taxes as well as spending on state government operations, and recommends reform in the areas of civil service, collective bargaining, employee pensions and benefits, red tape and unfunded mandates, election reform, and shared services.
Sen. Stack said in a press release today, “I urge both my colleagues in the legislature as well as fellow mayors to show their support for the governor’s toolkit, which is designed to allow New Jersey’s municipalities to operate with better fiscal efficiency.
“In my roles as State Senator and Mayor of a relatively large city, I have a unique perspective on the challenges that municipalities face during the budget season and on a daily basis.
“After careful review of the Governor’s initiatives, it is my contention that the passage of this legislative package is critical to the responsible operation of our municipalities. Such measures are practical, affording mayors the means to effectively govern.
“It is my contention that the need for a re-evaluation of how municipalities conduct business is long overdue.
“Now is the time to look beyond party affiliation and enact legislation for the good of the state.”
Mayor Stack now joins other Democratic mayors in Hudson County, such as Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Bayonne Mayor Mark Support, in his support of many of Republican Christie’s budget-cutting recommendations. –Deanna Cullen