PRESS RELEASE: NJGOP Celebrates Victory For Firefighters

NJGOP Celebrates Victory For Firefighters

For Immediate Release
 
Trenton, NJ - Governor Phil Murphy has caved on his proposal to take $33 million from a hardship fund for New Jersey firefighters following strong opposition from Republican lawmakers and First Responders.

NJGOP Chairman Steinhardt had the following comment:

"We are happy for New Jersey's First Responders. Today, Governor Murphy caved on his scheme to raid the New Jersey Firemen’s Association burial fund for $33 million.  Still, New Jersey voters should be alarmed at the lengths to which this Governor will go to feed his nearly $40 billion, ultra-liberal budget’s voracious appetite.  But for a reporter’s research, he might have succeeded.  The public uproar against Governor Murphy's efforts to rob the firemen’s fund proves that while there are no lengths to which the Governor won’t go to fuel his progressive platform, there are many more conscientious New Jerseyans who are willing to prioritize their spending, even when their Governor is not.  The biggest challenge now is whether the Governor and Democratic caucus actually have the courage to tighten their belts and save $33 million, or whether they’ll continue their pattern of reckless spending and mortgage our future to pay for it.”
 
The Republican effort to fight to keep these funds intact for First Responders and their families was loud and effective.

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UPDATE: Gov. Murphy Backs Off Firefighters Fund

After facing bipartisan uproar over his plan to take $33 million from a relief fund for New Jersey firefighters Governor Phil Murphy has changed his mind and will not touch the fund. According to New Jersey Globe (and others) Murphy said:

“We have listened to the concerns of our brothers and sisters in the firefighter community, whom I have the utmost respect and admiration for,” Murphy said. “As a result, I can say unequivocally that we are taking this budget option off the table. The Administration remains committed to ensuring that no family of a fallen New Jersey firefighter will go without help during their greatest time of need. I remain open to working with the Legislature to explore options to loosen the restrictions on the use of these funds so we can provide greater assistance for firefighters and their families.”

Of course, one has to wonder if Murphy truly has “the utmost respect and admiration” for firefighters why he proposed robbing the firefighters fund of $33 million in the first place.

Let’s see who Murphy tries to take money from next. Hopefully the state’s firefighters will think twice before endorsing Murphy again.

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?