Snooki Got $425 Million Over Five Years, But Governor Murphy Doubles Down On His Plan To Rob Firefighters Of $33 Million

Phil Murphy

As if it wasn’t bad enough that last year Murphy took money away from our veterans he decided to up the ante this year by deciding that he wants to take money away from firefighters.

It doesn’t matter to Murphy that there are lots of folks angry about the fact he wants to take $33 million from firefighters. He doubled down and defended the idea. According to NJ.com:

Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday defended his plan to siphon $33 million from a relief fund for New Jersey firefighters in need as the move drew outrage from first responders and state lawmakers.

At an unrelated news conference in Newark, Murphy said that while he reveres firefighters and is willing to meet to discuss his budget proposal, the state and local relief agencies have ample resources to meet the needs of the active and retired volunteer and career firefighters in their ranks.

Just yesterday I wrote that it appeared Murphy was punishing firefighters for being good with their money. The above statement pretty much backs that thought up.

But here’s the thing folks seem to forget. Last year, after taking money from our veterans, Murphy still felt it was important to sign Senate Bill No. 122, the “Snooki Amendment,” giving away $425 million in tax credits to the film industry.

That’s right, last year Murphy signed into law a bill that helps Snooki pee away $425 million over five years.

Ask yourself, who is more deserving of money, Snooki, of Jersey Shore fame, who has infamously been peeing on dance floors since 2012 or New Jersey’s firefighters?

PRESS RELEASE: New Jersey Republicans Are Standing Up For Firefighters

Press release from NJGOP:

Trenton, NJ - Earlier this week, it was discovered that Governor Murphy plans to raid $33 million from a state fund that pays for the burials of fallen firefighters, provides financial assistance for first responders hit with medical bills, and provides in-home health care for those who are aging and suffering from physical ailments.

Republican officials across New Jersey are outraged and standing up for firefighters and first responders. 

Here is a quick round up of their public comments:

New Jersey Republican Chairman Doug Steinhardt: "New Jersey's brave firefighters and first responders are there for us, and now we all need to come together with one loud voice and be there for them. Governor Murphy is continuing the dangerous trend of reckless spending that so far has defined his Administration. Rather than reign in spending Murphy raids firemen’s burial funds to fuel ultra liberal handouts like financial aide for illegal immigrants or so-called free college. We can’t let Governor Murphy buy liberal headlines at the expense of our heroes."

Senator Declan O'Scanlon: “Firefighters are a critical component of our public safety and first responder community. These funds should be used for the betterment of our firefighters and perhaps improvement of the state of the sector itself, not to plug up completely unrelated budget holes. Since the issuance of the Comptroller’s report we have been reaching out to stakeholders to discuss the best way to expand access to, and manage the fund to fortify the firefighting community without destroying the fund’s primary intent.”

Senator Steve Oroho: “The Murphy administration has patted itself on the back about how they have reduced raids on dedicated funds. Funds for the firefighter relief programs have been sacrosanct whereby past administrations and legislatures have said ‘hands off;’ this administration must do the same.”

Assemblyman Anthony Bucco: “Gov. Murphy vowed against raiding the clean energy, unemployment compensation, and affordable housing funds to plug budget holes, but he’s willing to take money away from firefighters who put their lives on the line to protect our citizens. He doesn’t have his priorities straight. It’s a disgrace that the governor would fund his agenda on the backs of firefighters.”

Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso: "As a first responder, I am absolutely floored by this proposal! 80% of fire fighters are volunteers! These men and women run towards danger, for no reward other than helping a fellow resident. As an assemblywoman I am embarrassed by this tactic! Do your job Gov #cutspending ... Stop raiding funds from those who give selflessly. They ask for so little in return. These brave souls deserve more!"

Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi: "For the men and women who put their lives on the line every time they answer a call, I will be voting no on this if it comes before the legislature."

Assemblyman Kevin Rooney: “Governor Murphy, once again, refuses to acknowledge New Jersey’s affordability crisis. Instead of cutting spending, Murphy’s budget relies on gimmicks that take funding away from our first responders. Stealing from our firefighters does not create a ‘stronger and fairer New Jersey.’ Murphy should be cutting spending and saving taxpayer money.”

Assemblyman Parker Space: “Whether you are a volunteer or a career firefighter or their loved ones, making sure these men and women who give of themselves for their communities are taken care of in a time of need is paramount and these funds are dedicated for such purposes and shouldn’t be ransacked for progressive causes. Just like the ‘dedicated’ 9-1-1 funds for counties which continue to be raided to the EMS training funds money raided by Corzine a decade ago, these budget gimmicks have got to end.”

Assemblyman Hal Wirths: “As Labor Commissioner, I saw firsthand how years of raiding the Unemployment Trust Fund for budgetary purposes so politicians of both parties could continue to spend without making tough decisions was bankrupting the fund. These funds for firefighters should be protected from the yearly budget negotiations as it was intended and it is a travesty that firefighters and their families are being dragged into it.”

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First He Took Money From Veterans, Now Governor Murphy Wants To Take Money From Firefighters

Remember that time it was pointed out on our radio show that it was “’uncomfortably coincidental’ that up to $2 million was cut from our veterans while Governor Phil Murphy can find $2 million for a defense fund for illegal immigrants?”

Well, now it appears Murphy is done screwing over our veterans and instead has decided to try and screw the state’s firefighters in this year’s budget proposal. Only this time it looks like folks are paying attention.

Someone discovered a line in Murphy’s budget proposal that takes $33 million from the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association and places that money in the state’s general fund. The line doing so is on page 552 of the 592-page document:

Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S.54:18-1, or any law or regulation to the contrary, $33,000,000 of the amount deposited with the New Jersey State Firemen's Association shall be transferred to the General Fund as State revenue.

Apparently we aren’t the only ones to think taking money from our firefighters is disgusting. According to an NJ.com article on the issue:

Now, Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration wants to divert $33 million from that fund to spend on its own agenda, an under-the-radar maneuver that critics are calling “horrendous” and a threat to the neediest of firefighters. It means no new money would come into the fund this year.

The Murphy administration’s answer to the money being taken from the firefighters is ridiculous. From the same NJ.com article:

A spokeswoman for the state Department of Treasury, Jennifer Sciortino, said the firefighters’ fund will still have plenty of money and the $33 million will help the state “meet our many obligations, which includes funding the firefighters’ pension system.”

“The healthy reserves maintained in the Firefighter’s Fund will enable them to continue supporting their critical mission,” she said.

The way I read that is because the firefighters have “healthy reserves” they manage their money wisely so the governor will punish them.

Last year Murphy managed to take money from our veterans, but now folks are paying attention so maybe we’ll be able to keep him from taking money from our firefighters.

Time will tell. You can view all 502 pages of Murphy’s proposed budget here.