NJ Gov. Phil Murphy Releases $121M For 48 Things You May Need

NEW JERSEY – New Jersey officials say they've finally freed up millions of dollars that were frozen during their recent budget battle — a development that could have a big impact on a number of towns, colleges and roads.

Department of Treasury officials said this week that all of the remaining $121 million has been released to fund 48 items — all of which would be useful for millions of New Jersey residents (see list of items below).

Gov. Phil Murphy's administration froze $235 million in spending during the summer after he failed to get what he's long sought for in the 2020 budget: a millionaire's tax. His administration then released $114 million in reserves in October because of better-than-expected revenues.

The Murphy administration cited the same reasons for releasing the remaining $121 million, despite the fact that the governor has failed to sway the state Legislature to get behind his tax plan.

“Based on the latest revenue numbers, we currently anticipate we will be able to meet our targeted fund balance pursuant to the governor’s executive order,” State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio said. “While there is always the risk of a future downturn, we are comfortable that we can maintain this surplus level throughout the remainder of FY 2020. However, we will continue to monitor collections and savings assumptions closely for the remaining six months of the fiscal year under the parameters of the EO.”

Murphy signed the 2020 budget in June after a protracted, acrimonious battle between himself and Senate President Stephen Sweeney, who vehemently opposes the millionaire's tax.

Sweeney has sought other methods — such as raising property taxes and consolidating school districts — to bring in more revenue to New Jersey and help fund school districts that experienced sharp cuts in state funding. Read more: NJ Gov. Murphy Vetoes Raising Property Taxes To Fix School Aid

Murphy gave up the battle on the tax but continued the war with Sweeney by promising to take actions of "fiscal responsibility that were lacking in the Legislature’s spending plan and set up New Jersey to better weather a possible future economic downturn."

"We must be honest about its shortfalls: This is a budget that does not include tax fairness, does not ask opioid manufacturers to help fund addiction services, and does not raise gun fees that have been untouched since 1966," he said. "These common-sense revenues would have allowed us to save for a rainy day and sustainably fund necessary investments for New Jersey’s 9 million residents. Make no mistake, I will continue fighting for tax fairness and fiscal responsibility well beyond (the) budget actions.”

Sweeney, in response, said the governor's freeze on items in the budget was "a shameless act of political retribution that is both petty and vindictive — it’s Bridgegate on steroids that punishes those who disagree."

“This is an abuse of gubernatorial power that victimizes some of the neediest and most vulnerable people in New Jersey, including cancer patients, the hungry, senior citizens, college students and those struggling to overcome substance abuse problems," he said.

In July, the Department of the Treasury released the list of spending items that have been placed into reserve pursuant to Executive Order No. 73 signed by Murphy.

“As directed by the governor, we have compiled a list of appropriation items that have been placed in reserve until further notice,” said David Ridolfino, acting director of Treasury’s Office of Management and Budget. “As noted in the Executive Order, the items placed in reserve will help the state maintain the surplus goals outlined by the governor. Our review, pursuant to Executive Order 73, is ongoing and will continue as new or additional information regarding individual items of appropriation is available.”

Here are the 48 items that are now released:

• Belleville Twp. Recreation Program: $125,000
• Bergen Family Center Teen Center: $120,000
• Bergenfield Borough Pedestrian Safety Improvements: $50,000
• East Brunswick Senior Center: $750,000
• Ewing Twp. Roadway Improvements: $1 million
• Fair Lawn Borough Pedestrian Safety Improvements: $50,000
• Franklin Twp. Stream Restoration: $1.1 million
• Hamilton Twp. (Mercer) Fire District Consolidation (PTRF): $2 million
• International Youth Organization: $100,000
• Irvington Twp. Camp Irvington Repair and Redevelopment: $3 million
• Little Ferry Borough Traffic Study: $50,000
• Morris Canal Park, Jersey City: $250,000
• New Jersey Re-Entry Corporation: $1 million
• NJ Hall of Fame Foundation: $1.25 million
• Perth Amboy Green Infrastructure: $250,000
• Sayreville Borough - Bailey Park Improvements: $500,000
• South Amboy Intermodal Transit Village: $1 million
• Transitional Aid to Localities (PTRF): $51.113 million
• Turtle Back Zoo: $4 million
• Volunteers of America - Re-Entry Services: $1 million
• Union County Inmate Rehabilitation Services (PTRF): $1.748 million
• Grants for Urban Parks (PTRF): $4 million
• Holy Name Hospital, Teaneck - Palliative Care Pilot Program: $2.604 million
• North Jersey Community Research Initiative: $75,000
• South Jersey Cancer Program - Camden (Cooper): $13.950 million
• New Jersey Elder Index: $200,000
• Broadcast Technology Improvements: $350,000
• The Council of State Governments: $200,000
• Battleship NJ Museum: $500,000
• CREATE - Rowan University: $2 million
• Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission: $100,000
• Long Branch Historical Museum - Chapel Restoration: $250,000
• Montclair State University - General Operations: $7.503 million
• NJ Civic Information Consortium: $1 million
• NJ Historic Commission - Celebration of America: $150,000
• NJCU - Fort Monmouth Campus: $1 million
• Ramapo College - General Operations: $1 million
• Rutgers New Brunswick School of Engineering - Equipment: $2.5 million
• Rutgers/Rowan Joint Board RU Camden Business School: $3 million
• Stockton University - General Operations: $4.612 million
• The College of NJ - General Operations $1 million
• Thomas Edison University - General Operations: $1 million
• Brown Ave/Rt 206, Hillsboro - Large Truck Bypass: $500,000
• I-287 Access Ramps from Rt 27 Final Design Costs: $450,000
• Restoration of East Orange Train Stations: $1 million
• Route 440, Bayonne - Pedestrian Safety Improvements: $250,000
• Route 46/Route 93 Intersection, Ridgefield - Traffic Study: $250,000
• Aid to Independent Colleges and Universities: $1 million

Here were the 23 items released in October: