Thousands of seniors and disabled New Jerseyans have been waiting with bated breath for Gov. Chris Christie’s new budget.
They can now breathe a little easier because, although many programs were cut, Gov. Christie decided not to ax the Senior Property Tax Reimbursement Program (PTR), and Homestead credits will double. Although the governor’s proposed budget didn’t fully fund the PTR, Democratic leaders including Assembly members Craig Coughlin and John Wisniewski (both D-19th District) fought to restore the program. These are tough economic times and equally tough political decisions in New Jersey. However, despite the tense infighting that has been going on between the Republicans and Democrats, Gov. Christie and Democratic legislative leaders should be highly praised for agreeing to protect our most vulnerable seniors from having to bear the burden of New Jersey’s deficit.
Legislative leaders like Coughlin and Wisniewski should be thanked for their hard work in restoring a program that allows low-income seniors and the disabled the dignity of living independently despite ever-increasing property taxes in New Jersey. Gov. Christie should also be thanked for accepting the changes put forth by the Democratic leadership. No doubt this decision was influenced by the thousands of phone calls that AARP members placed directly into the governor’s office urging him not to cut a program that they so heavily depend on.
Sy Larson AARP New Jersey State President East Brunswick