The governor and our Legislature keep pushing our towns for shared services and consolidation. It’s time for them to practice what they preach.
We have 40 legislative districts in our state with 40 senators and 80 Assembly members. Each has his or her own office and staff. Senators each get $236,725 for staffing and expenses, and the Assembly members each get $174,562. Consolidation should start at the state level.
If they each consolidated to one office in every district and shared the staff, we could save $13.9 million in tax dollars every year. If they even just consolidate the Assembly, we would save $6.9 million a year.
Sharing an office would be much more convenient for the constituents these officials serve, as it would take only one call to reach all the legislators.
Aside from the expense accounts, each senator gets paid $49,750, and each Assembly member gets paid $49,212.50. This brings the total cost of the Legislature to $29.4 million. Do we really need this much legislating?
It’s time for the Legislature to step up to the plate and share its own services to provide propertytax relief.
Anthony LaMantia
Mayor
Jamesburg