Budget News and Analysis for New Jersey

»Net Property Tax Increase Much Higher Under Christie Than Corzine

By Mark J. Magyar, May 6, 2013 in Budget |

Christie's rebate cuts result in 18.6 percent increase in net property taxes that hits those making under $150,000.

»Treasury vs. OLS, Round 2: Rosen Warns of $637 Million Revenue Gap

By Mark J. Magyar, April 5, 2013 in Budget |

For second straight year, OLS budget expert projects lower revenues than Sidamon-Eristoff.

»Christie’s Luck: Income Tax Surge Bails Out Budget

By Mark J. Magyar, March 12, 2013 in Budget |

The rich get richer, fattening Treasury’s coffers, but how long will it last?

»Christie Plugging Transportation Trust Fund Hole With Bond Premiums One-Shot

By Mark J. Magyar, March 4, 2013 in Budget |

Borrowing for TTF under Christie will be at record high, pay-as-you-go financing at all-time low.

»Budget Games: How Christie Plugged $3 Billion Structural Deficit

By Mark J. Magyar, February 27, 2013 in Budget |

Governor banks on one-shots, property-tax rebate delay, Medicaid savings, and Internet gaming to bridge budget gap

»Democrats Respond to Christie's Budget Address

By Ian Elliott, February 27, 2013 in Budget |

Majority leader of Assembly, Democratic gubernatorial candidate have their say about proposed budget.

»Christie's Budget Address: Streaming Live on NJ Spotlight

By Staff of NJ Spotlight, February 27, 2013 in Budget |

Join us for the governor's address at 3:00 p.m. -- along with tweets, retweets, and a running chronicle of the voices worth hearing.

»Budget’s Bottom Line: Christie Needs Revenue Bonanza

By Mark J. Magyar, February 25, 2013 in Budget |

Governor has to bet on high tax-growth in FY14 to bridge $3 billion structural deficit.

»Analysis: Christie’s Fiscal Cliff -- $3 Billion and Counting

By Mark J. Magyar, February 4, 2013 in Budget |

Even robust FY14 tax growth won’t be enough to cover pensions, revenue shortfalls, overreliance on one-shots, and other fiscal needs.

»Sandy Aid is Big Win, But Don’t Expect a Katrina-Sized Boom

By Mark J. Magyar, January 16, 2013 in Budget |

Expert: Reconstruction will boost economy, but won’t put a dent in state revenue shortfall.

»Fate of New Jersey Economy in 2013 Hinges on Congress

By Mark J. Magyar, January 7, 2013 in Budget |

Will Sandy reconstruction offset impact of federal tax hikes on NJ economy?

»Interactive Map: Where the Wealth Is

By Colleen O'Dea, January 7, 2013 in Budget |

»Budget Cuts Loom as Shortfall Tops $700 Million

By Mark J. Magyar, January 4, 2013 in Budget |

OLS: Sandy reconstruction, income tax surge will help, but not enough.

»Newly Consolidated Princeton Greets New Year

By Colleen O'Dea, January 2, 2013 in More Issues |

More than a year of prep work smoothes out potential rough patches in Princeton borough and township merger.

»New Jersey Facing Major Fiscal Crisis in Years Ahead, Blue-Ribbon Panel Reports

By Mark J. Magyar, December 14, 2012 in Budget |

Budget expert: More revenue needed to meet pension, Medicaid, and infrastructure expenses.

»Spotlight TV: NJ Budget Crisis Report

By State Budget Crisis Task Force, December 13, 2012 in Budget |

Sharing the findings of the State Budget Crisis Task Force about specific threats facing New Jersey.

»Economists: Post-Sandy Reconstruction Could Provide Quick Boost for Lagging Economy

By Mark J. Magyar, November 14, 2012 in Budget |

Experts are more pessimistic about New Jersey competitiveness, prospects for future growth.

»Storm Costs Won't Necessarily Spell Budget Disaster

By Mark J. Magyar, November 13, 2012 in Budget |

Federal aid, insurance payouts for reconstruction work could offset lost revenues.

»State Revenues Running Almost $100 Million Short of Christie Projections

By Mark J. Magyar, September 20, 2012 in Budget |

»Assembly Committee Says Towns Should Be Allowed to Keep Affordable Housing Funds -- for Now

By Colleen O'Dea, August 9, 2012 in Budget |

In a hearing marked by testy exchanges, the state argues that municipalities must return $142 million in unspent funds.

»Low-Income Workers Feel the Pinch of Tax Credit Cut

By Hank Kalet, August 8, 2012 in Budget |

Decision to trim Earned Income Tax Credit by 20 percent means a smaller safety net.

»New Jersey Still a Long Way from Recovery, Report Shows

By Mark J. Magyar, July 23, 2012 in Budget |

»State's Sluggish Recovery Means More Bad News for Municipalities

By Colleen O'Dea, July 13, 2012 in Budget |

Rutgers seminar helps officials understand New Jersey's economic problems, but offers little in the way of fixes -- quick or otherwise.

»OLS: $200 Million Revenue Shortfall Will Cut Deeply Into Surplus

By Mark J. Magyar, July 11, 2012 in Budget |

Christie administration attacks OLS as biased, but Democrats see vindication for decision to defer tax cut.

»With Christie's Veto, NJ Towns Risk Losing Affordable Housing Money

By Colleen O'Dea, July 5, 2012 in More Issues |

Fair Share Housing Center, municipalities league ask appeals court to decide debate over unspent funds.

»Democrats to Christie: Show Us the Money

By Mark J. Magyar, July 3, 2012 in Budget |

Legislative leaders reject governor's plea to enact tax cut until revenues come in.

»Christie to Democrats: Let’s Make a Deal

By Mark J. Magyar, July 2, 2012 in Budget |

Governor boosts surplus to strengthen argument that New Jersey can afford tax cut.

»School Aid Left Intact, But Debate Looms on How NJ Figures Numbers

By John Mooney, July 2, 2012 in Education |

Democrats preserve funding formula while awaiting Cerf’s report on formal plan.

»Democrats Buck Christie Demand for Tax Cut

By Mark J. Magyar, June 26, 2012 in Budget |

Governor Sharpening Veto Pen for Budget and Millionaire’s Tax Bills.

»Analysis: If Budget is Approved, NJ Faces Fiscal Crisis Next Spring

By Mark J. Magyar, June 25, 2012 in Budget |

One-shot revenues, tax cuts, pension debt, and borrowing blow $2.5 billion hole in FY2014 budget.