Politics & Government

Town Expects Christie to Cut State Aid

State likely to cut aid to municipal government and schools.

The town government is expecting state aid to Westfield to be cut when Gov. Chris Christie announces his budget on March 16.

Town Administrator Jim Gildea said that while exact figures have not been released by the state Department of Community Affairs, he and other suburban government leaders are operating under the assumption that aid will be cut. Christie has indicated that state aid cuts are likely as he reduces the amount of the state budget to meet a multibillion deficit.

During a budget briefing at Tuesday night's Town Council meeting, Councilman Mark Ciarrocca, the finance committee chairman, said the committee is factoring the state aid reduction into the town's declining revenue stream for 2010. He noted that last year, former Gov. Jon Corzine cut Westfield's state aid by $400,000. Ciarrocca said personnel and service cuts are likely based on the combined revenue slump.

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A cut in state aid to local government would be in line with the governor's cuts to state school aid. Last month, Christie cut from the remainder of state aid due to the Board of Education for the current fiscal year. The number was based on surplus funds held by the school district. Christie is expected to announce further school aid cuts during his budget address on March 16.

 

Find out what's happening in Westfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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