Weak Democratic turnout in the elections last year put a Bush-era Republican (and a former Bush appointee) in charge of New Jersey.
Result? The middle class and the poor will bear the brunt of cutbacks and taxes.
Those reductions, plus the rebate suspension, drew fire from Democrats, who contrasted the cuts with Christie's refusal to renew a 2009 tax increase on filers who earn $400,000 or more.
"Wealthy people in New Jersey got a tax cut. The middle class and the poor are going to get a tax increase. It's that simple," said Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester). Leaving the higher tax in place would bring in an additional $800 million to $1 billion; it would be enough, Sweeney said, to soften the blow in many areas
-Philly Inquirer
"Wealthy people in New Jersey got a tax cut. The middle class and the poor are going to get a tax increase. It's that simple," said Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester). Leaving the higher tax in place would bring in an additional $800 million to $1 billion; it would be enough, Sweeney said, to soften the blow in many areas
-Philly Inquirer
Meanwhile, all the belt-tightening at the State level threatens any recovery.
