Senator Carmen Amato Jr., Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblyman Gregory Myhre said on Mar. 11 that New Jersey’s State Budget should focus on tax relief, school funding reform, and lowering utility costs for residents. The lawmakers responded to Governor Mikie Sherrill’s first State Budget address by highlighting the need to address the cost-of-living crisis affecting seniors and middle-class families.
The legislators said these issues are central to their constituents’ concerns. In a joint statement, Amato, Rumpf, and Myhre said: “The focus of both parties in Trenton must be the issue staring every elected official in the face: the cost-of-living crisis overwhelming New Jersey taxpayers. Reducing high taxes, fixing the state’s broken school funding formula, and eliminating politicized pork spending must be part of any serious reform agenda.”
They also addressed frustrations over state spending priorities: “Residents are frustrated seeing millions spent on sanctuary state policies while school districts face funding cuts. At the same time, major spending bills continue to be rushed through at the last minute, leaving taxpayers with little transparency about how their money is being spent. Trenton’s fiscal mismanagement has come to a head, and our delegation will continue fighting to ensure taxpayers don’t pay the price.”
To support school funding reform, Amato, Rumpf, and Myhre have introduced legislation (S-1603 & A-2839) proposing a 90-day state tax amnesty period that could raise tens of millions of dollars for schools. They have also put forward bills (S-1570 & A-2834) to cap reductions in state aid for schools at one percent.
On utility costs, their proposals include dedicating increased energy sales tax revenue to utility assistance programs instead of depositing it into the General Fund (S-1619 & A-2848). Another bill (S-1606 & A-1841), called the “Small Modular Nuclear Incentive Act,” aims to expand New Jersey’s energy supply using small modular nuclear reactors as a long-term strategy for reducing utility costs. Additionally, they have introduced legislation (S-3367/A-2855) that would return funds from failed offshore wind projects directly to ratepayers as electric bill relief.
Senator Amato serves on the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee; Assemblyman Rumpf is Assembly Republican Budget Officer and serves on the Assembly Budget Committee; Assemblyman Myhre serves on the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
According to the official website, Bucco provides constituent services through a district office and email for legislative inquiries. The site also notes that Bucco serves as a member of both the Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. He engages in legislative work such as sponsoring bills and contributing to committee discussions on key issues according to his official profile. Bucco holds leadership roles including Senate Republican Leader and chairing committees as reported by his official biography. He represents New Jersey’s 25th Legislative District in the State Senate.