Background: Governor Chris Christie recently announced excessive budget cuts that will hurt the vast majority of New Jersey residents - while keeping tax cuts for New Jersey's wealthiest residents in place.

Governor Christie's proposed budget will cut funding to local school districts by 80% to 100%, and will cut $62 million from higher education funding.  These represent the largest cuts to education spending in New Jersey's history. In addition, Governor Christie is proposing severe cuts to NJ Transit (which will result in 25% fare hikes) and a 75% cut in funding to libraries. Meanwhile, Governor Christie broke a campaign promise to maintain the property tax rebate.

In short, Governor Christie's budget proposals mean higher taxes, serious reductions in the quality of education, and cuts to services such as transit and libraries. To note, Governor Christie has not made one proposal to increase revenue through job creation at a time when New Jersey is in a jobs recession. Is this what voters really wanted?

How you can help:

• Write a letter to the editor in opposition to Christie's budget proposals. Use our Action Center at http://www.usmediacorps.org/nj/action-center-mainmenu-40 to send your letter to newspapers in New Jersey and nearby media markets.  For ideas, refer to the talking points and references below.
• Contact your state legislators and ask them to oppose Governor Christie's budget: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/state/main/?lvl=L&state=NJ&view=myofficials

Talking points:

1. Huge cuts in state funding to school districts are being made. This will drive down quality, cause layoffs of teachers, and result in higher property taxes.
2. Large cuts in university funding come at a time when the cost of higher education is already too high.
3. Governor Christie is cutting the property tax rebate despite campaign promises not to touch the rebate.
4. NJ Transit cuts will hurt commuters who depend on their services, and will reduce incentives to use mass transit, resulting in more cars on the road and greater generation of greenhouse gases.
5. 75% cuts to New Jersey libraries are excessive.
   

• Christie slashes $18.5M from University funding: http://www.dailytargum.com/news/christie-slashes-18-5m-from-university-funding-1.2156664

• Broken promise - Chris Christie says he intends to raise higher education funding in first term: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/12/chris_christie_says_he_intents.html

• The Record: Colleges being squeezed‏: http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/90555989_Colleges_squeezed.html

• N.J. college presidents object to Gov. Christie's cuts to higher education: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/nj_college_presidents_object_t.html

• Protestors object proposed NJ cuts: http://www.dailytargum.com/news/protestors-object-proposed-nj-cuts-1.2235976

• Local school boards scramble with new funding reality: http://www.nj.com/independentpress/index.ssf/2010/03/local_school_boards_scramble_w.html
• Christie urges fewer raises for teachers: http://www.dailytargum.com/news/christie-urges-fewer-raises-for-teachers-1.2202802
• On education, Gov. Chris Christie deserves an "F": http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2010/03/on_education_gov_chris_christi.html
• Edison schools face layoffs, tax hikes, cuts in programs: http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2010/03/edison_schools_face_layoffs_ta.html

• New Jersey Education Association president: 'Our governor is a liar': http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2010/05/new_jersey_education_associati.html

• Christie cuts decried at legislators’ meeting: http://ebs.gmnews.com/news/2010-04-22/Front_Page/Christie_cuts_decried_at_legislators_meeting.html

• Christie to suspend N.J. property tax rebates, cut over $1 billion in aid to towns, schools, colleges: http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/christie-to-suspend-nj-property-tax-rebates-cut-over-1-billion-in-aid-to-towns-schools-colleges

Cuts to libraries:

• Local Libraries Also Feel Governor’s Budget Cuts: http://njtoday.net/2010/03/26/local-libraries-also-feel-governor%E2%80%99s-budget-cuts/
• Save My NJ Library web site: find out how you can help save your library's services from the Governor’s proposed budget cuts of state funding to libraries by 74%.
  

Cuts to NJ Transit:

• State budget cuts into NJ Transit funds: http://www.dailytargum.com/news/state-budget-cuts-into-nj-transit-funds-1.2202801
• NJ Transit fare hearing draws angry response from commuters: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/nj_transit_public_hearing_fare.html
• Tell Gov. Christie: Stop the fare hikes: http://www.environmentnewjersey.org/action/global-warming/stop-fare-hikes?id4=ES

Preserving tax cuts for the wealthy:

• http://www.njtaxwatch.com/
• N.J. Gov. 'Wrecking Ball' Christie swings budget ax, misses tax cut for wealthy: http://blog.nj.com/njv_tom_moran/2010/03/nj_gov_chris_christie_democrat.html

Good luck and hope to see you in print!

NJ Media Corps