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Thursday, March 03, 2011
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SWEENEY ISSUES STATEMENT ON SENATE'S ATTEMPT TO OVERRIDE GOVERNOR'S VETOES OF 'BACK TO WORK NJ' LEGISLATION
TRENTON – Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney issued the following statement today regarding the Senate’s attempt to override the governor’s vetoes on several pieces of the “Back to Work NJ” legislation. The bills voted on today did not receive a single Republican vote. The total vote for all five bills was 115-80. The original combined vote total for the exact same bills, before the governor vetoed them, was 187-2:
“The bills we voted on today would have created tax breaks for small businesses. They would have created jobs for middle and lower income residents, while stimulating economic growth throughout New Jersey.
“Recent media reports have highlighted how New Jersey seniors are struggling to make ends meet. The bills we voted on today would have given a tax break to those very seniors who are struggling.
“While some of my colleagues across the aisle may not consider jobs, the economy, or tax cuts for seniors among ‘the significant challenges facing our state,’ I certainly do. It is unfortunate that partisan politics got in the way of job creation and economic progress today.
“The ‘Back to Work NJ’ legislation that we sought to act upon at one time had broad, bipartisan support. That all but disappeared today. Sadly, it is the residents of New Jersey who will suffer the consequences.”