Bramnick Gets Budget Seat in Assembly Committee Reshuffle, Munoz Joins Tourism Committee

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) has been appointed to the Assembly budget committee by Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Morris County). The committee, one of the most powerful and prestigious in the Assembly, takes on added responsibility given the current fiscal crisis in the state. Gov. Chris Christie announced Wednesday morning that the state is facing an additional $1 billion shortfall in the current state budget.

Bramnick represents the 21st District, which includes Springfield.

Bramnick and his budget committee colleagues will review proposals from Christie's office and state Treasurer-designate Andrew Eristoff regarding ways to fix the shortfall in the current budget and gear up for the adoption of the next budget. Under state law, Christie will be presenting his proposal for the next state budget to the legislature on March 1. A balanced state budget will need to be adopted by July 1, the start of the state's next fiscal year.

Christie has not outlined what he is planning to propose in his budget, but options discussed during last year's campaign include cuts to the state workforce, changes to the state pension system and reworking the state aid formula and payments to local governments and school systems. Christie has hinted that a restructuring of state government is one area where he is looking to achieve savings. The new governor has indicated plans to combine the offices of comptroller, auditor, public advocate and inspector general into a new watchdog agency.

The budget committee will review all of these proposals and help devise the final budget. Bramnick is considered a close Christie ally, campaigning with him around the state and hosting several private fundraisers at his Westfield home. Bramnick was on Christie's short list for lieutenant governor. The Westfield lawmaker, who also is the number two Republican in the Assembly, will attend his first budget committee meeting on Monday, under plans announced Wednesday by Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex County).

Bramnick will retain his seat on the law and public safety committee, where he has served since entering the Assembly in 2003. He will be giving up his seat on the consumer affairs committee where he has served since 2003.

Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (R-Summit) will continue to serve on the health and senior services committee and will be gaining a seat on the tourism and arts committee. The tourism committee is expected to gain additional stature given the debate over state funding for the arts. During his last year in office, former Gov. Jon Corzine suspended state funding for arts institutions, citing the fiscal crisis, but he restored some aid shortly before leaving office this week. Arts institutions, including groups in Westfield, are waiting to see where the Christie Administration will go on this issue.

The tourism and arts committee is a restructured committee, with Oliver separating gaming issues from the committee and assigning them to the new regulatory oversight and gaming committee. She said she wanted to highlight the arts in a new committee, given the current debate over the future of the arts in New Jersey. During an appearance at the Rotary Club during last year's campaign, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who will be overseeing arts funding in her role as secretary of state, expressed an interest in maintaining funding, but did not commit the new governor to a policy.

The tourism committee will also oversee historic preservation policy and funding. These issues retain importance to Westfield with the Miller Cory House and the on-going restoration of the Reeve House on Mountain Avenue.

Munoz' appointment to the tourism committee retains a Union County voice on the panel, with Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Fanwood) giving up her seat on the committee to assume the chairmanship of the state government committee.

Munoz will be giving up her seat on the human services committee to assume the tourism post. She has served on the human services and health panels since taking office last May. Her late husband, Assemblyman Eric Munoz served on both committees before his death. Munoz indicated last month that she wanted to leave the human services committee to serve on the military and veterans affairs committee, citing a desire to work on veterans issues.