Bramnick Challenges Legislative Democrats To Find Ways to Save Christie School Cuts

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (D-Westfield) challenged Assembly Democrats to help develop a plan that could ward off the drastic cuts to state aid proposed by Gov. Chris Christie.

Christie's proposed budget, which includes calling for cuts to municipal aid and school aid, now heads to the legislature. The budget committees of both chambers will start conducting hearings. Bramnick, the Assembly Republicans' second in command and a budget committee member, said he is expecting the majority party Democrats to help develop a plan regarding Christie's budget cuts.

"I think we know that there is tough medicine needed," Bramnick said about the governor's budget proposal. "There will be further discussion by the legislature. It is up to the Democrats in the legislature to come up with a better plan than proposed if they disagree with the governor."

Christie's proposal, which includes slashing school aid for districts by up to five percent of the total school district budget has received harsh reaction from state Democrats and local school officials.

Bramnick, who represents Springfield in the General Assembly, said Christie had to to make cuts because of the fiscal situation and whatever the final budget is by the end of June, there will be cuts. He said it is now up to the legislature to determine the cuts. From his understanding, Christie is willing to work with the legislature in determining a final budget.

"No, absolutely not," Bramnick said when asked if Christie is anti-teacher. "He has problems with the unions, that's for sure."

Bramnick, echoing lines from Christie and other GOP leaders, placed the blame for the cuts not at the governor but at former Democratic Govs. Jon Corzine, Dick Codey and Jim McGreevey. He said their fiscal plans led Christie to make the decisions he did.

"When you have an administration for eight years that keeps borrowing, it is a painful time," he said. "If they had been responsible for eight years, the numbers would be realistic."

In other parts of the budget, Bramnick said he is pleased with the changes Christie is proposing to extraordinary aid to municipal governments. He said the new plan will allow for the aid to be assigned based on a formula and not on political favoritism, which he said has been past practice.

Bramnick also noted he is studying the proposed constitutional amendment from Christie, which would limit future property tax hikes by two and a half percent. He said he wants to know how hard of a cap that will be and if there will be any flexibility for a local government or school district in the future in case of a need to exceed the cap.

Bramnick said he has not had any private conversations with Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-East Orange) or other Democratic leaders regarding the budget, but he plans to work with them during the negotiations.

"I am sure Chris is open to some changes," Bramnick said. "It's not an easy time."