Lance Endorses Increased Federal Appropriations for New Jersey

U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon County), who represents Springfield as well as surrounding municipalities, endorsed increasing the amount of money New Jersey receives back from the federal government annually.

Lance said he would like to see more tax dollars return to the state from what is sent to Washington annually. He cited figures from the Tax Foundation, which show the state ranking 50th among the states in return of federal dollars.

"I don't like number 50," Lance said.

Lance said New Jersey will likely not reach the top of the list due to the lack of military bases and other programs in the state which traditionally propel a state to the top of the list in receiving federal funds.

Lance said the federal appropriations process has ended for the year and he is not sure how much money will be available from Congress next year.

Lance's comments on looking to increase the state's funding from the federal government comes after a Republican primary, where one of his former opponents, David Larsen, criticized Lance for his support of federal appropriations. Larsen cited Lance's designation as "porker of the month" in April 2009 by Citizens Against Government Waste for obtaining federal appropriations. Lance was one of three freshman Republican members of Congress to receive the designation. The report cited Lance's work in obtaining $869,400 for energy efficient lighting in Cranford, $350,000 for a hike and bike path in Bedminster and $225,000 for the Hunterdon Family Dental Center.

Lance, a former state senate minority leader who has represented suburban and rural communities for his entire career, said in response to a question from Patch that he has believed the state should equalize the funding more.

"I always thought at the state level that there should be appropriate levels of funds for suburban towns," Lance said.