Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck

BECK CALLS FOR A MORE ORDERLY AND
RESPONSIBLE BUDGET PROCESS
BECK ANNOUNCES PLAN TO INTRODUCE BUDGET REFORM PACKAGE

July 5, 2006

Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck/ 732-772-1571
Assembly Republican Office/ 609-941-4089

In response to the unprecedented government shutdown, Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck today announced she will introduce several legislative measures that will provide for a more orderly and responsible budget process.

"Democrat legislative leaders have failed a crucial leadership test by refusing to present the public with a finalized budget and forcing the state to shut down," said Beck, R-Monmouth and Mercer. "The budget process should not be centered around scoring political potshots and speech making. The focus of this process should always be on the people we serve. Let's not forget, the real victims in this endless budget battle are the families and businesses who have been adversely impacted."

The Beck budget reform package will include a measure that provides for the replacement of the Speaker of the General Assembly and the Senate President should the Legislature fail to enact a budget by the constitutional deadline.

"It is wrong to use a government shutdown as means of advancing a political agenda," declared Beck. "Legislative leaders should not be allowed to hijack the budget process. If they are unable to fulfill their basic duty and pass a budget by the constitutional deadline they should be removed from their leadership post."

Beck also plans to introduce a measure that mandates all legislators, in the event of a government shutdown, remain in session until a general appropriations bill is approved by both houses of the Legislature.

"One of the Legislature's most important functions of the year is to structure a budget and make sure it is passed before the constitutional deadline," said Beck. "If the budget isn't passed by the constitutional deadline, legislators should be prepared to work around the clock."

Additionally, Beck said she plans to introduce legislation that will require state government to keep revenue generating operations like race tracks, casinos, Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) facilities, and the lottery open should another shutdown occur.

"Closing our profit centers is counterproductive," Beck said. "These facilities generate millions of dollars in tax revenue. Shutting down revenue generating operations only exacerbates the state's financial woes. We need to keep our economic engines up and running and keep people working."

Beck will also introduce legislation that in the event of a government shutdown would require both the Assembly and Senate budget committees to hold a public meeting everyday until the budget is passed.

"Requiring the budget committees to hold a public meeting everyday will force everyone to have an open and honest discussion," Beck said. "The people and the news media should be given adequate time to fully scrutinize any deal that is struck. This is really a good-government measure that seeks to grant the public more access to the budget process."

"Shutting down the government is disruptive to people's lives. We need to take bold steps to prevent it from happening in the future," concluded Beck.

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